T'Birds Repeat As WWU Invitational Champs, UVic Vikes T4th
The Victorious UBC T'Bird's Men's Golf Squad After Winning The 45th Annual Western Washington University Men's Golf Invitational - Image Courtesy UBC Athletics
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds prevailed as the team champion for the third time in the last four years at the 45th Annual Western Washington University Men's Golf Invitational played at Bellingham Golf & Country Club, Sept. 26-27th.
The T-Birds finished with a team score of 6-under-par 858, adding the team title at the WWU Invite to winning years in 2007, 2013 and 2014. UBC posted rounds of 1-under 287 and 5-under 282 before finishing up with a 1-over 289,
Chico State was the team runner-up at 4-under (860), followed by Concordia (Ore.) (E, 864), California State Monterey Bay (+5, 869) and the University of Victoria (+5, 869).
For the third consecutive tournament, UBC's Andrew Harrison was the highest-placing Thunderbird. The golfer from Camrose, Alta., finished in a four-way tie for second with a score of 4-under 212, closing with a 3-under 69 after rounds of 71 and 72 on Monday.
T'Birds' Senior Evan Holmes tied for ninth after a completing the three-round tournament in 214 shots for a score of 2-under. He had rounds of 70 and 73 before finishing with a 1-under 71.
Second-year golfer Zaahidali Nathu tied for 28th at 4-over 220 (71-72-77), while fellow sophomore Kamyar Yamini was a shot behind in a tie for 31st at 221 (75-65-81). His middle-round score of 65 was one shot off the school record held by Blake Rowe-Sleeman.
Jack Wood was one of six golfers in 44th at 7-over 223 (75-76-72). Conaire Kehoe made his collegiate debut, competing as an individual. He recorded rounds of 79, 78 and 75 for a score of 16-over 232, tied for 72nd.
UBC's next tournament will be Cal State Monterey Bay's Otter Invitational Oct. 17-18 in Seaside, Calif
For the UVic Vikes the tournament saw a consistent effort, where the team shot at or near par every day and closed out the final day with a two-over-par performance. Lawren Rowe finished tied for sixth at three-under-par to lead the Vikes at the tournament while teammate Andrew Funk was close behind at two-under-par through two days. Funk finished in ninth.
Bruce Tomie had another good showing for the Vikes, finishing at two-over-par to close out in a tie for 23rd. Mike Griffin (+8) and rookie Brandon McManus (+20) rounded out the group.
Next up for the Vikes is the Vikes Golf Shootout on October 16.
- with files from UBC, UVic & Western Washington Athletics