Murrieta, Calif. – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s golf team began the spring portion of it’s 2013-14 schedule with a 13th place finish out of 17 competing teams at the West Cup held March 24-25 at the Bear Creek Country Club. The Gusties turned in a three-round total of 975 (+115), shooting a 329 on the first round, 335 on the second, and finishing the tournament with a 315 on day three.
“Tough conditions to start the year off,” said Head Coach Scott Moe following the tournament. “You could not afford to miss fairways at this tournament and we hit some stray shots that really cost us.”
With 12 of the 17 teams ranked in the top 30 in the nation, coach Moe excited for the opportunity to go up against such tough competition early in the spring season. “Tyler had a very nice finish, but this was a tough field and we need to get better and work on consistency,” he said. “We are fortunate to leave for Florida Thursday afternoon to start our spring break training in Ponte Vedra Beach. We know what we need to work on and we will have plenty of time to do so in Florida in great conditions.”
Tyler McMorrow (Sr., St. Cloud, Minn.) led the Gusties with an 11th place finish after shooting a 13-over-par 229. Although McMorrow began the tournament with a 79 (+7), the senior improved greatly over his next two rounds. He went a five-over 77 on his second round and then capped the outing with a one-over 73.
Matt Jensen (Sr., Edina, Minn.) finished next in line, while Andrew Oakes (Sr., Hermantown, Minn.) came in behind him. Jensen shot a 246 (+30) after finishing the meet with a three-over 76 on the final 18 holes – a major improvement after going 81 (+9) and 89 (+17) to begin the tournament. Oakes posted scores of 85 (+13), 84 (+12), and 80 (+8) to end up with a 249 (+33), which placed him 60th.
The University of Redlands won the West Cup with a three-round team-total of 904 (+40). Claremont-Mudd-Scripps finished second with a 912 (+48), and the University of La Verne rounded out the top three in third with a 913 (+49).
Redlands’ Bobby Holden took home individual medalist honors after shooting a one-under-par 215. Justin Beck of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps finished runner-up with a 219 (+3), while Matt DiSalvo of Christopher Newport and Keven Holliday of La Verne rounded out the podium in a tie for third after they both shot a 224 (+8).
The Gustavus men’s golf team will take part in one competition during its training trip to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida next week. That competition will be a dual meet against Flagler College held on Friday, April 4 at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Golf Club.