Nick Watney Invite returns to SJCC

Monday, September 27

Fresno, Calif. (San Joaquin Country Club)

8:30 a.m. PT

Fresno State

Nick Watney Invitational

Kevin Huff, follow through, iron shot, preseason practice

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Nick Watney Invite returns to SJCC

9/25/2021 8:30:00 AM | Men's Golf

2021-22 Tournament Notes: Fall 2021 Nick Watney Invitational Day 1 - Pairings (GolfStat.com)

For the first time since 2016, the Nick Watney Invitational is returning to San Joaquin Country Club.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

The Breakdown

The Nick Watney Invitational returns to San Joaquin Country Club for the first time since 2016.
Fresno State is slated to compete in four fall tournaments and then five spring events before heading to Washington for the 2022 Mountain West Championship at Gold Mountain Golf Club (April 29-May 1).

Bulldog Bones

The Fresno State men's golf team is poised to open the 2021-22 season at home in the Central Valley with the Nick Watney Invitational – the first of nine regular season tournaments leading up to the 2022 MW Championship.
Fresno State's season-opening tournament will be the Bulldogs' 57th home tournament, which was originally titled the Fresno State Classic and renamed after Fresno State alumnus and PGA Tour star Nick Watney in 2014.
Notable Fresno State Classic individual medalists include: Tom Watson (1969, Stanford), Craig Stadler (1973 & 1974, USC), Bobby Clampett (1979 & 1980, BYU), Billy Andrade (1983, Wake Forest), Phil Mickelson (1989, Arizona State) and Nick Watney (2001 & 2002, Fresno State).
The Fresno State Classic three-round record is 197, which is held by Pavan Sagoo (2015, Saint Mary's) at Fort Washington Country Club. Fresno State's Nick Watney carded the lowest three-round score (204) during a Fresno State Classic held at San Joaquin Country Club in 2002.
This fall, the Bulldogs will also compete in the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, Nev., where the winner will earn a spot in the area's annual PGA Tour stop. The tournament, returning for the first time since the 2011-12 season, will take place at Hidden Valley Country Club.
The 2021-22 season then continues with the Bulldogs competing in a series of events throughout the West, setting the stage for the 2022 MW Championship, which returns to the state of Washington for a three-day competition (April 29-May 1, 2022) at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.

Strong Showings in Summer Events

Fresno State senior Kevin Huff will lead the Bulldogs at the No. 1 position during the Fall 2021 Nick Watney Invitational. This summer, Huff carded a team-best 70.40 scoring average over 14 rounds, which included a tie for second in United States Open local qualifying at Dragonfly Golf Club on May 10 to advance to sectional qualifying. Huff was also the second alternate after shooting a pair of 69s during the United States Amateur qualifier at Sunnyside Country Club on July 12.
Fresno State sophomore Matthew Manganello won the 2021 NCGA Public Links Championship at Poppy Hills GC and Pacific Grove GC on June 28-29 (66-73 = 139).
Fresno State senior Michael Cliff tied for first in the United States Amateur qualifier at Sunnyside Country Club on July 12 and advanced to match play during the 121st United States Amateur, which was held at Longue Vue Club and Oakmont CC on August 9-15 (tied for 45th after stroke play).

2021-22 Fresno State Men's Golf – Tournament No. 1
Tournament: Fall 2021 Nick Watney Invitational
Format: Stroke play/54 holes/5-count-4
Host: Fresno State
Dates: Sept. 27-28, 2021
Golf Course: San Joaquin Country Club (Par-71, 7,001 yards)
Location: Fresno, Calif.
Live scoring: GolfStat.com

Fresno State Line-Up

Individuals: Matthew Sutherland, Andrew Lee & Lane Pulliam

Tournament Field (14): Cal Baptist, CSUN, CSU Fullerton, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Hawai'i, Idaho, Pacific Sacramento State, Seattle U, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. A select number of individuals will also compete.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.