Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Arizona Intercollegiate
Solid Second Round Not Enough for Dogs
2/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 1, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Despite a strong second round surge, the Fresno State men's golf team could not get on track during the final round and finished tenth (299-289-304--892) at the Arizona Intercollegiate in Tucson, Ariz.
The Bulldogs completed their final five holes of the second round in the morning because play was suspended Monday due to darkness. The tournament was held at the Arizona National Golf Club, a par-71, 6,793-yard layout, and the course, aided by windy conditions, proved to be a difficult opponent for the Dogs.
"The golf course is surrounded by desert," head coach Mike Watney said. "When you hit it straight you don't notice it but when you hit it one way or the other you will double or triple bogey."
Senior Michael Gideon (70-75-76--221) delivered the best overall finish for the Dogs with a tie for 23rd at eight-over. Gideon ended with a total of nine birdies and an eagle.
Junior Brian Sunker (72-79-73--224) posted the Dogs' best final round score with a two-over. Sunker birdied the final hole of the tournament and finished tied for 36th.
No school came close to par. No. 16 San Diego State (+7) easily beat out No. 45 Pepperdine (+15) by eight strokes for the tournament title.
The Bulldogs claimed the fourth-best score of the second round (289) and was only three shots away from the top spot.
The success was due in large part to junior Bhavik Patel's (88-67-78--233) 21 shot improvement with a four-under 67. Bryan Hogan (76-72-84--232) also contributed with a round of one-over 72 which included two birdies and an eagle on the 18th.
Freshman Nate Jessup (81-75-77--233) sank seven birdies in the final two rounds. Adam Barkow (75-74-72--221), who competed as an individual, shot a final round one-over 72 and finished tied for 23rd at eight-over.
"We are Your Team!" The Bulldog men's golf team returns to action Feb. 16-18 at the John Burns Invitational in Oahu, Hawai'i. Follow the tournament results at www.golfstat.com.
Players Mentioned
