Fresno State Athletics
Men's Golf Holds Awards Luncheon
5/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 7, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The men's golf team held its 2009 awards luncheon Thursday afternoon at Sunnyside Country Club and honored student-athletes for their successes during the season.
Junior Grant Doverspike was named the Most Valuable Player. Doverspike, who was named WAC Player of the year, led the team in scoring average at 71.82. He led the team in to-five and top-10 finishes. Doverspike earned WAC Golfer of the week for his performance at the USC Invitational by firing a double-eagle. In addition to earning WAC golfer of the Week honors, he was named to the First-Team All-WAC for the third consecutive year. Doverspike qualified for the NCAA tournament as the No.1 seed in his field.
"Grant had another MVP year," said head coach Mike Watney. "All of our guys did great things this year and it's hard to imagine that someone did better but he really did put together another great year."
Brian Sunker received the Bulldog Scholar Award. As a Dean's list recipient and WAC Scholar athlete, Sunker won the Bulldog Spirit award at the athletes Night of Champions. He has been on the President's List and has a 3.8 GPA this semester. He had a best score of 66 this year at Talking Stick in Arizona and posted two eagles.
Sophomore Bryan Hogan was named the Most Outstanding Player. Hogan shot a `Dogs best 65 twice this year. He had three eagles and 104 birdies on the year. Hogan had the team's best three-round total and averaged 69 for a while tournament.
"Chuck [Bandelian] has seen a lot of good golf over the years and he has seen a lot of outstanding golfers, said Watney. "He and I agree that Bryan Hogan is one heck of a golfer."
Bhavik Patel received the Outstanding Freshman award. Patel joined the Bulldogs in the spring semester and during his time here, piled some stats that normally take a full year to acquire. Patel tied for first on the team with most rounds in the 60's and made 60 birdies. He earned WAC Golfer of the Week and at the WAC Championship he finished in the top-10 of the field and qualified for the NCAA tournament.
Senior Matt Ryan received the Bulldog Award. Ryan, WAC Scholar athlete and Academic All-WAC recipient, competed in only five tournaments and averaged 73.20, which was the second lowest average on the team. He had a best round of 69. Ryan fired 49 birdies and three eagles during competition. He had a round with six birdies and earned two top-20 finishes on the year.
"Matthew has the never give up attitude," said Watney. "He made the best with what he had and was very vital to our team."
Sophomore WAC Scholar athlete, Michael Gideon, was named the Most Improved Player. He finished the season improving on overall stroke average, final round stroke average and competed in more tournaments this year compared to last year.
Other awards received this year consisted of Cory Bischel earning WAC Scholar athlete accolades, Todd Angel earning the Team Captain award and Matt Ryan earning the graduation award.
As the team captain, Angel is a guy that all of the players strive to be like. Angel averages over 300 yards with his drives and shot a low round this year of 66. Angel came alive at the Fresno State Lexus Classic finishing in second place and only two strokes back of the winner. For that performance he garnered WAC Golfer of the Week.
