Get Low

Monday, March 23

Corona, CA (Eagle Glen Golf Club)

8:00 AM

California Baptist University

CBU Invitational

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

3/24/2015 4:05:00 PM | Men's Golf

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

CORONA, Calif. -- Scores came in much lower than expected in the first two rounds of the California Baptist University Invitational, and that trend continued in the third and final round Tuesday. The Lancers produced their finest 18 holes of the tournament and fourth-best team score of the day to move up two spots and finish sixth in their host event.

CBU shot 295 Tuesday to finish with an 892 over three rounds at the Eagle Glen Golf Club. The Lancers continue to click in the spring season, with top-10 performances at all four tournaments in the second half of their season.

Ninth-ranked Simon Fraser in NCAA Division II led the 15-team field with an 870 (289-292-289), while Sonoma State (878), No. 3 Chico State (883), #23 Dixie State (885) and Dominican (887) finished in front of the Lancers. CBU did top 20th-ranked Western Washington, which took eighth with a 303. Kenny You of Dixie State won medalist honors with a 213 (69-74-70).

"I think the low scores were indicative of the number of high-level teams we had out at this tournament," Coach John Hackney said of the 15-team event. "There were a lot of good teams here."

All four of CBU's scorers came in at 75 or better. The Lancers' top-four averaged 11 fairways, 12 greens and 30 putts, with only four three-putts on fast greens and tough pins Tuesday.

Kavan Eubank shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday to finish in 11th with a 218 (75-71-72). He remained a model of consistency for CBU, hitting 18 fairways, 12 greens and logging just 30 putts.

"Kavan had another really solid day," Hackney said. "He is really having a great freshman season."

Christian Saunders had the second-best score for CBU in the third round, with a 73. He finished in 42nd with a 229 (77-79-73).

"Christian got off to a rough start today," Hackney said. "He was three-over through five holes and he birdied three of his last five to shot 73. I am proud of the way he gutted it out and finished strong."

Greg Gonzalez and Tai Kuida both shot 75 on the day. Gonzalez finished in 16th with a 221 (74-72-75) and Kuida's 227 (76-76-75) put him in 33rd.

Tyler Miller continued his strong play individually for the Lancers. He carded a 73 to finish with a 226 (73-80-73) to take 28th.

"Tyler was fantastic in the first round and last round this week," Hackney said. "He plays well out here. I think the course suits his eye, he's comfortable here and plays well here in qualifying so it wasn't surprising he put up some good numbers."

J.J. Qualkenbush (235, 74-80-81) and Glenn Hakes (239, 79-75-85) took 58th and 69th, respectively, while competing as individuals with CBU. Neil Hand took 79th with a 247 (74-85-88) for the Lancers.

CBU is in the home stretch, with two tournaments left on its schedule before playoffs begin. The team will head to Western New Mexico's Mustang Intercollegiate on April 6th and 7th in Goodyear, Ariz. The PacWest Conference Championship is next up starting April 20th in St. George, Utah.

"Our goal right now is to keep getting better and better," Hackney said. "If we play well at both of those events we will be back in the NCAA tournament, that's our goal."

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