UCSD men’s golf submitted a dominating performance in its first tournament of the 2016-17 season as the team won by 17 strokes on Tuesday. It was the Tritons’ first victory since 2002. The Johnson Shootout was hosted by Cal State Dominguez Hills at Industry Hills Golf Club.
With a team total of 870 and 18-over par, the Tritons led the entire way. UCSD shot a 295 in Tuesday’s final round, in addition to posting a 286 and a 289 on Monday.
The team score of 870 was a historic one as it was the lowest three-round score since UCSD totaled 864 at the Sonoma State Invitational in October of 2012. Triton head coach Jim Ragan had a lot to be happy about with the team’s performance.
“I was really proud of our team today; the course played tougher than yesterday and we got off to a poor start, but we bounced back and played well coming down the stretch,” Ragan told UCSD Athletics.
The Tritons had three players finish in the top 10 in individual standings, led by freshman Hayden Hui who ended the tournament third. In his first college match, Hui scored 71–69–77 for 4-over par and 217 total. Hui started off Tuesday in a tie for first place before dropping two spots.
By posting scores of 73–76–71 and a 220 total, freshman Jacob Johnson finished in a tie for seventh place. Junior Mateusz Kucz tied for ninth (70–79–72–221), freshman Adam Navigato (72-75-75-222) ended 12th and sophomore Jake Haselden (77–69–79-\–225) finished 17th.
In the entire tournament, there were only three rounds that were below 70, two of which were shot by Haselden and Hui as they both reached 69.
“It was a great team effort with all five guys contributing significantly,” Ragan said. “Today, Jacob and Mateusz posted two good rounds to seal the win for us.”
Cal State Dominguez Hills freshman Andrew Fernandes led the entire 34-player tournament with a one-under 212 (70–70–72). He was the only player to finish under par.
After UCSD, the following teams were Sonoma State (887), Stanislaus State (890), Cal State San Bernardino (890), Cal State Dominguez Hills (896) and Whittier (1052). All of the teams except for Whittier were from the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
In addition to the team score, the tournament win for the Tritons was also historic as it was their first since 2002, when they beat an 11-team tourney at the Point Loma Invitational at Riverwalk Golf Club in San Diego.
UCSD will look to capitalize on its success as the team continues its season at Chico State’s Wildcat Classic, held Oct. 3 to Oct. 4 at Butte Creek Country Club.
