It hasn't ground to a halt by any means, but the incredible streak WWU had going in the Fall season and at the beginning of the Spring season has definitely slowed down rather in the last couple of weeks. After four 1st place finishes and a tie for second in its first five Division II tournaments in 2010-2011, the team has struggled a little of late, recording fourth-place finishes in its last two events - the Western New Mexico University Invitational at the University of New Mexico GC last week and the Grand Canyon University Spring Invitational at the 7,228-yard Palm Valley GC in Goodyear, AZ this week.
Fifth after yesterday's rounds of 297 (+9) and 294 (+6), the Vikings shot a closing 290 (+2) Tuesday for a three-round total of 17-over 881. Host team Grand Canyon won on seven-over 871 while Chico State came in second eight shots behind. Dixie State was third on 880.
Western had two players finish inside the top ten - Dylan Goodwin who tied for sixth on two-over 218, and Xavier Dailly, a shot behind and tied for ninth. Sandy Vaughan, last week's Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week following his 13th-place finish in New Mexico, tied for 24th on eight-over 224 along with Nick Varelia who shot an excellent final-round one-under 71. Brian Barhanovich, who struggled in the wind in Albuquerque last week, was T34 on 227.
“We played better today and it was very close to a very good round,” Coach Steve Card said after Tuesday afternoon. “Overall, we played less than our best, but it’s good for us to get this wake up call now and be able to work on our game in preparation for the post-season.”
Matt Pridey of Grand Canyon University was medalist after beating fellow Antelope Jacob Golembiewski in a playoff. The GCU golfers had tied on three-under 213 after 54 holes.
Congratulations to Lake Padden Winter Golf Tour Grand Finale winners Mike Hatfield, Peter Christopher, Doug Bennett, and Cory Ragan. Also, well done to Ted Hallenbeck who won Saturday's Individual Strokeplay, the last event on the 2010-2011 WGT, with a Gross 74, beating out Blair Walker by a shot. Mark Smith won the Division I Net prize with a 69. Doug Bennett won Division II Gross with a 75, and Ken Gunning won Division III with a Gross 86.
Thanks again to Greg Morris in the pro shop for his massive contribution to another great WGT.
Don't forget to sign up for this coming Saturday's (April 2nd) Four-man Cha Cha Cha. Here the format. Call the pro shop on 734-7400 to make you tee-time. The pro shop will put you in a team if you are a single.
Space is still available for the two Spring Beak camps at Lake Padden. The Beginners' camp (ages 8-16) runs from April 5-7, and from 10am-1pm each day. Cost is $100 and clubs are provided for those that need them. Click here for aplication form.
The Advanced Players camp (ages 10-18) runs April 5-8, and from 2pm to 5pm each day. Cost is $145. Some playing experience is highly recommended. Click here for application form.
