Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Western Intercollegiate
`Dogs Fight Hard in Santa Cruz
3/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
March 31, 2009
FRESNO, Calif.-The Fresno State men's golf team captured its third top three finish of the season with an impressive effort at the at the 63rd annual Western Intercollegiate tournament hosted by San Jose State University.
The Bulldogs entered the final round with a four-stroke lead over Oregon and finished tied for second with Colorado at 873. The `Dogs shot rounds of 278, 301 and 294. Michigan State was fourth at 874 and California rounded out the top five teams in the 18-team field at 885.
Oregon posted a 54-hole total of 865 on the par 70, 6,511-yard Pasatiempo Golf Course. Fresno State was the second-round leader. The Ducks ended the day with a low score of 2-over par 282 to pull away from the Bulldogs.
"We're bummed but I have to give credit to Oregon," said head coach Mike Watney. "They played a fabulous round. Two 70's and two 71's at Pasatiempo in those conditions in the last round is almost unimaginable. The title was in our reach but Oregon was spectacular. Second is very good in this field. We are playing good golf and are getting better all the time."
Freshman Bhavik Patel continues to show improvement. Patel tied for fourth place and led the `Dogs after carding a 4-over par 214. Patel posted eight birdies and an eagle.
"Bhavik Patel has definitely given our NCAA chances a big boost," said Watney."He's a great addition. He plays like a veteran."
Grant Doverspike led the team with 37 pars and was one stroke from having a Top 10 finish. Doverspike compiled a total of 9-over par 219 to take 11th place. Bryan Hogan completed the tournament tied for 20th after firing 11 birdies to lead the team, and an eagle. He posted rounds of 69, 78 and 76. Todd Angel also had an eagle. Angel carded a score of 16-over par 226, with a low round of 74, coming in the final round. Michael Gideon ended the day at 17-over par 227 to tie for 36th.
"Grant Doverspike and Bryan Hogan had solid top twenty finishes and Mike Gideon's 69 was a big boost," said Watney. "These guys are bringing some excitement back to Bulldog Golf."
Oregon State's Deigo Velasquez was the only player on the course to match or better par with his even par total of 210. Defending champion, Jack Newman of Michigan State and Colorado's Derek Tolan tied for second at 3-over par 213. Tolan was one of two players to post the low score of the final round, a 3-under par 67. Andrew Vijarro of Oregon tied for fourth at 214.
There were a total of three aces in the tournament. Michigan State's Graham Baillargeon made a hole-in-one on the par 3, 177-yard eight hole in round two. Today, San Jose State's Nick Brown and Ryan Blackburn of Mercer each made a hole-in-one on the par 3, 141-yard 15th hole.
The Bulldogs will tee off again at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz. on April 6-7.
Join the State - Fresno State! Log on to gobulldogs.com or information on the men's and women's golf teams
Players Mentioned
