Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
WAC Championship
Dogs Go Out Swinging
5/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 4, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's golf team closed out their season Wednesday with a third place finish at the WAC Championship, matching their best finish this year. The Bulldogs (288-305-296--889) shot an 8-over on the final day of competition to finish at 25-over.
The tournament, held at the 7,313-yard, par-72 Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson, Nev., featured eight other teams from the Western Athletic Conference.
Bryan Hogan, playing in his final collegiate tournament, set his career best finish by claiming third place with a 2-under, 214 (68-74-72). This was the second time this year Hogan shot under par for a tournament. He fired an even-par and knocked in two birdies over his final six holes.
"Kudos to Bryan for finishing strong at a very difficult course," head coach Mike Watney remarked. "He played very solid golf considering the pressure of the tournament."
Bhavik Patel finished in the Top 10 for the eighth time this season after carding a 2-over, 74 on the day, putting him at 7-over (75-74-74--223) for the tournament. Patel played a bogey-free back nine which included a birdie on the 378-yard, par-4 10th.
After the conclusion of the tournament, Patel was named first team All-WAC for the second year in a row. His 72.02 scoring average puts him in ninth place all-time for lowest season average at Fresno State. He claimed fourth last season after averaging 71.58.
"He had a great year and I'm glad we have him for one more year," Coach Watney said about Patel. "I expect a lot of good things from him next year."
Junior Brian Sunker closed out the tournament tied for ninth at 8-over (70-78-76--224). Sunker made the second-most pars throughout the three days of competition (38) with Hogan (37) and Patel (36) following right behind.
The other two seniors, Michael Gideon and Brad Wyatt, finished in 26th and 42nd place, respectively. Gideon (75-82-74--231, +15) shot his best round of the tournament with a 2-under and Wyatt (84-79-80--243, +27) carded an 8-over on the day.
New Mexico State (289-295-291--875, +11) claimed their fourth straight WAC Championship title by finishing 11 strokes ahead of second place San Jose State (293-304-291--888, +24). The Dogs were only one shot behind the Spartans.
Mark Hubbard (71-72-69--212) of San Jose State took home the individual title after out-shooting Damian Telles (66-73-73--212) of Idaho on the third playoff hole because the two players were tied at 4-under at the end of regulation.
The All-WAC teams and top awards were voted on by the nine head coaches. New Mexico State's Tim Madigan was voted the WAC's Player of the Year for the second straight season. Freshman of the Year honors went to Louisiana Tech's Jack Lempke and Coach of the Year honors went to Scott Lieberwirth of New Mexico State.
2010-11 Awards
First Team All-WAC
Tim Madigan, Sr., New Mexico State
Bhavik Patel, Jr., Fresno State
Scott Smith, Sr., Nevada
Mark Hubbard, Sr., San Jose State
Damian Telles, So., Idaho
Second Team All-WAC
Jay Myers, Jr., San Jose State
Gaston De La Torre, Jr., New Mexico State
Jarred Bossio, Jr., Idaho
Clinton Shepard, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Kevin Lucas, Jr., Nevada
Player of the Year: Tim Madigan, Sr., New Mexico State
Freshman of the Year: Jack Lempke, Louisiana Tech
Coach of the Year: Scott Lieberwrith, New Mexico State
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Players Mentioned
