Monday, March 21
Corona, Calif.
8:00 AM
California Baptist University
vs
CBU Invitational
Defending the Home Course
3/22/2016 4:01:00 PM | Men's Golf
CORONA, Calif. – California Baptist University men's golf won its first tournament as a fully-fledged NCAA Division II member by defending its home course – Eagle Glen Golf Club – with a five-over-par 869 (290-288-291) on Tuesday.
It was good for a seven-stroke cushion over runner-up BYU-Hawaii (876) and 21st-ranked Colorado Christian (876). No. 24 Western New Mexico and Western Washington tied for fourth with 891s each. The Lancers topped two other top-25 ranked Division II teams in the win. No. 11 Simon Fraser (899, seventh) and No. 14 Cal State San Marcos (896, sixth).
"I'm so proud of how the guys played today. They are really, really talented, we see it off and on in tournaments and in practice and we knew it was going to come together soon and that they'd be a force to reckon with," Coach John Hackney said. "It came together on our home course, which was fantastic. The guys were not one bit nervous and took ownership of being in the lead on their home course and wanted to win it so hats off to them."
Kavan Eubank took second place for the Lancers, with a 214, after shooting two-under over three rounds (72-70-72). Colorado Christian's Nathaniel Goddard won the individual title with a 213 (70-71-72).
"As a team this is awesome, we haven't won in a while but we have been getting close. We've been playing good golf and today we just put everything together," Eubank said. "Individually, I played well today. My putting was good and I made a lot of clutch par saves that kept the momentum going."
Eubank accredited much of his success in the final round to his 10th-hole birdie on a 175-yard par three. This birdie gave him great confidence as he started the back nine.
"[Hackney] told us to go in with no expectations and to just play freely, get a game plan going and stick with it," Eubank said. "It was important to take it one shot at a time and focus on my game, not the opponents around me. On the inside, you think to yourself about how you want to beat your opponents, but you have to know you're playing against the course and whatever they do you can't control."
CBU had two top-five finishers, with Tai Kuida – the first-day leader – taking fifth with a 216 (67-73-76). Christian Sanders closed out the tournament strong, with a 221 (76-73-72) for the Lancers. Greg Gonzalez and Chris Carew both scored on the final day for CBU, with a 73 and 74, respectively. Gonzalez took 28th in the 95-man field with a 226 (81-72-73) overall. Carew wound up in 33rd with a 228 (75-79-74).
"Tai has been a great finisher for us in his career at the end of the seasons, and he turned on the jets this tournament," Hackney said. "He really set the tone of the event with his 67 in the first day, which was the low round of the tournament. It was great play by him and great leadership to get us to the start we needed."
Competing as an individual, Glenn Hakes took 55th with a 235 (74-80-81) for CBU.
CBU came into the tournament ranked 36th in Division II. After this stellar win over five other ranked programs, the Lancers will hope to move up the rankings and continue this stretch of form as they compete in the Mustang Intercollegiate held in Goodyear, Ariz. next.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
PLAYER LEADERBOARD
COMBO LEADERBOARD
It was good for a seven-stroke cushion over runner-up BYU-Hawaii (876) and 21st-ranked Colorado Christian (876). No. 24 Western New Mexico and Western Washington tied for fourth with 891s each. The Lancers topped two other top-25 ranked Division II teams in the win. No. 11 Simon Fraser (899, seventh) and No. 14 Cal State San Marcos (896, sixth).
"I'm so proud of how the guys played today. They are really, really talented, we see it off and on in tournaments and in practice and we knew it was going to come together soon and that they'd be a force to reckon with," Coach John Hackney said. "It came together on our home course, which was fantastic. The guys were not one bit nervous and took ownership of being in the lead on their home course and wanted to win it so hats off to them."
Kavan Eubank took second place for the Lancers, with a 214, after shooting two-under over three rounds (72-70-72). Colorado Christian's Nathaniel Goddard won the individual title with a 213 (70-71-72).
"As a team this is awesome, we haven't won in a while but we have been getting close. We've been playing good golf and today we just put everything together," Eubank said. "Individually, I played well today. My putting was good and I made a lot of clutch par saves that kept the momentum going."
Eubank accredited much of his success in the final round to his 10th-hole birdie on a 175-yard par three. This birdie gave him great confidence as he started the back nine.
"[Hackney] told us to go in with no expectations and to just play freely, get a game plan going and stick with it," Eubank said. "It was important to take it one shot at a time and focus on my game, not the opponents around me. On the inside, you think to yourself about how you want to beat your opponents, but you have to know you're playing against the course and whatever they do you can't control."
CBU had two top-five finishers, with Tai Kuida – the first-day leader – taking fifth with a 216 (67-73-76). Christian Sanders closed out the tournament strong, with a 221 (76-73-72) for the Lancers. Greg Gonzalez and Chris Carew both scored on the final day for CBU, with a 73 and 74, respectively. Gonzalez took 28th in the 95-man field with a 226 (81-72-73) overall. Carew wound up in 33rd with a 228 (75-79-74).
"Tai has been a great finisher for us in his career at the end of the seasons, and he turned on the jets this tournament," Hackney said. "He really set the tone of the event with his 67 in the first day, which was the low round of the tournament. It was great play by him and great leadership to get us to the start we needed."
Competing as an individual, Glenn Hakes took 55th with a 235 (74-80-81) for CBU.
CBU came into the tournament ranked 36th in Division II. After this stellar win over five other ranked programs, the Lancers will hope to move up the rankings and continue this stretch of form as they compete in the Mustang Intercollegiate held in Goodyear, Ariz. next.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
PLAYER LEADERBOARD
COMBO LEADERBOARD
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Golf
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/ Men's Golf
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/ Men's Golf
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/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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