PULLMAN, Wash. – A career-best finish from sophomore Drew Miller helped the Santa Clara men's golf team claim a sixth-place tie at the Washington State Itani Quality Homes Collegiate on Tuesday at the Palouse Ridge Golf Club.
Miller had his finest round as a collegiate golfer shooting a 4-under 66 in yesterday's second round and fired a 2-over 72 in today's final round. He ended the tournament at 1-under-par (209) good for a 10th place tie with two other golfers. His best finish last season was a 28th place tie at the Farms Collegiate Invitational.
Freshman Evan McLeod ended his first collegiate tournament with back-to-back rounds of 71 to place in a tie for 27th place with a three-round total of 6-over 216.
Gio Gandionco, Tyler Kertson and Bobby Monaco all scored an 8-over 218 to tie for 34th place. After carding just one birdie in the first two rounds, Gandionco notched five in the final round and played the back nine at 3-under. He had a career-best round of 2-under 68 on the final day. Kertson shot a 75 and Monaco a 77 over the final 18 holes.
After scoring an even-par 280 in Monday's second round, the Broncos dipped to an 8-over 288 today and fell into a tie with Chico State for sixth place in the 12-team event. In their eight tournaments last season that played three rounds the Broncos scored less than 290 in every round just once. They matched that in their first event this season.
Tournament host Washington State (-4) edged Cal State Fullerton (-3) by one stroke to claim the team title while second round co-leaders Cody Blick of San Jose State and Blake Snyder of Washington State tied for the individual title with identical final round scores of 68. Blick birdied the 18th hole to claim his share of the lead.
Seven Broncos competed in the first tournament of the season with Kertson and Carlos Briones playing as individuals.
Santa Clara will return to tournament play on September 23 competing in the two-day Saint Mary's College Invitational at the Bayonet and Black Horse courses in Monterey, Calif.
Itani Quality Homes Collegiate Rd 2 Team Standings
1. Washington State 282-270-284 = 836 (-4)
2. CS Fullerton 282-277-278 = 837 (-3)
3. Sacramento State 280-285-277 = 842 (+2)
4. Idaho 283-284-280 = 847 (+7)
5. San Jose State 285-288-283 = 856 (+16)
T6. Santa Clara 289-280-288 = 857 (+17)
T6. Chico State 287-285-285 = 857 (+17)
Santa Clara Rd 2 Individual Results
T10. Drew Miller 71-66-72 = 209 (-1)
T27. Evan McLeod 74-71-71 = 216 (+6)
T34. Gio Gandionco 78-72-68 = 218 (+8)
T34. Tyler Kertson* 72-71-75 = 218 (+8)
T34. Bobby Monaco 70-71-77 = 218 (+8)
T49. Carlos Briones* 74-76-71 = 221 (+11)
T58. Scott Lowe 74-72-78 = 224 (+14)
*Played as individual
