Lancers Take Seventh at Otter Invite

Monday, October 17

Seaside, Calif.

8:00 AM

California Baptist University

Otter Invitational

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

Lancers Take Seventh at Otter Invite

10/18/2016 3:09:00 PM | Men's Golf

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

SEASIDE, Calif. – Rankings were thrown out the window at the Otter Invitational on Tuesday, with California Baptist University overcoming its No. 12 ranking to best sixth-ranked Chico State at the challenging Black Horse Golf Club.

Overall, the Lancers jumped four spots up the standings from round two for a seventh-place finish. CBU accomplished the late rally by saving its best round for late on Tuesday, shooting five-over-par 293 for a three-round total of 894 (300-301-293). The Lancers' 293 was the third-best team score of the day.

In addition to a win over Chico State (904, 12^th), the Lancers beat out several other West Region opponents: Sonoma State (899, 10^th); Dixie State (902, 11^th); UC San Diego (912, 14^th); Hawaii Hilo (918, 15^th) and Academy of Art (920, 16^th).

"We did such a better job today," Coach TL Brown said. "I don't like backing ourselves in a corner and having to battle out in the final round. We have a very talented team but we have some growing to do. We did get some good head-to-head wins against some historically good teams in the West and PacWest, which we needed to do."

Fourth-ranked Lynn won the 16-team tournament with an 865, while host No. 13 Cal State Monterey Bay took second (870) and fifth-ranked Nova Southeastern finished third (871). Simon Fraser's Chris Crisologo won the individual title with a 208 (69-68-71).

"The golf course is extremely difficult, the pin positions were tough and if you're not hitting your best, it's tough to score," Brown said. "We just didn't really hit the ball very well on Monday. We are only going to get better, we learned a lot about ourselves this week and it's still early in the season."

Greg Gonzalez kept his streak of top-13 performances alive by shooting two-over par in the whole tournament. The junior bookended the Otter Invite with even-par 72s to finish with a 218 (72-74-72) that put him in 11^th place.

Kendel Hodges and Christian Sanders each carded one-over 73s in Tuesday's third round. Hodges took 18^th at five-over 221 (76-72-74), while Sanders tied with redshirt freshman Trevor Lampson for 50^th with a 228 (75-80-73). Lampson joined Gonzalez and Hodges by carding his best round on Tuesday. He shot 75 to complete his 228 (77-76-75) and score for the Lancers in all three rounds.

Tai Kuida was a stroke off scoring rights Tuesday and turned in his best round of the tournament (76) to take 67^th with a 233 (78-79-76). True freshman Ivan Monsalve also produced his best 18 holes in round three, with a 79 for a 244 overall score (84-81-79).

"Each guy put in some great streaks on the golf course this week," Brown said. "This course requires every ounce of your game, and requires you to keep your emotions in check. Kendel and Greg really battled out there this week, played very well and separated themselves as times."

CBU concludes its fall portion of the season at the McDonough Cup in Orlando, Fla. on Oct. 31^st and Nov. 1^st. The Lancers will do their best to make a statement at the Rio Pinar Country Club heading into the winter break.

"We are looking forward to Florida and facing some great competition there," Brown said.

RESULTS