The UCSD golf team competed in the San Diego State-hosted Aztec Battle at the Lake on Feb. 28 and Feb. 29, at Lake San Marcos Country Club, placing sixth in a field of 12 teams.
The Tritons shot rounds of 307 and 301, giving them a total of 608, 40 over par. Unlike most of their tournaments, which usually are composed of three rounds of golf, this was a two-round event.
“This was an interesting course full of extremely fast greens,” UCSD head coach Mike Wydra said. “They were actually doctored up to try to prevent overly low scores, so they were on tops of little hills for example. One very good player from [Cal State] San Marcos actually six-putted a hole, something that you don’t see much of.”
UCSD was bested by the University of La Verne, who had rounds of 289 and 297, giving them a total of 586, as well as Cal State San Marcos, whose rounds of 295 and 301 gave them a 596. Crosstown rival University of San Diego had a two-round total of 599.
Johnson and Wales, with rounds of 307 and 300, as well as Holy Names College, with rounds of 291 and 316, scored a 607, just eked out a lead over the Tritons and tied for fourth place.
“We’re trying to round out our schedule. We were the only Division II team at this tournament,” Wydra said. “It’s probably not as inspiring an event as our regular tournaments, but it’s always important to keep sharp for our tournament coming up [on March 8 and March 9].”
Individually, UCSD was led by Family Motors Invitational champion Brian Duckworth. The junior ace had rounds of 72 and 76, giving him a total of 148, six over par, and a tie for ninth place overall.
Sophomore Justin Grant, also coming off a solid performance at the Family Motors Invitational, placed second for the Tritons. He shot rounds of 76 and 75, for a total of 151, nine over par, and a tie for 19th in the tournament.
Sophomore Robbie Kramer fell two strokes behind Grant to take third for UCSD, with rounds of 80 and 73. His total of 153, 11 over par, gave him a tie for 28th place.
Senior Alan Scheer took the fourth spot for the Tritons, a rarity for the team captain. Shooting rounds of 79 and 77, his 12-over 156, and a tie for 36th in the field.
Junior Jan Godoski rounded out the UCSD squad, putting in rounds of 82 and 79. He had a total of 156, 14 over par, and tied for 54th place at the tournament.
“I won’t say the greens were ‘unfair,’ though many other coaches have,” Wydra said. “I think the guys were disappointed in the quality and condition of the course, but this tournament does help us solidify our first and second squads for our tournament.”
The Tritons played on March 1 and March 2 at the Cal State San Marcos Invitational, but complete results of the tournament were unavailable at press time. UCSD will be back out on the links on March 8 and March 9, when it hosts the Southern California Intercollegiate Championship at Santaluz Golf Course in Del Mar.
