Men’s Golf Cards Best Final Round Score; Claims Fourth Place At Cabo del Sol

Posted: Oct 08, 2013

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CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – Freshman Tyler Kertson matched the low round of the day and the Santa Clara men's golf team used the best team round of the final 18 holes to rally for a fourth place finish at the inaugural Cabo del Sol Intercollegiate.

The Broncos shot a 1-over-par 289 in today's final round and climbed four spots on the leaderboard to claim fourth place. Santa Clara's final round score was 21 strokes better than their first round effort on the resort's Ocean Course. "Conditions were much better today and that led to better scores," said head coach Rob Miller.

UC Irvine (882) overcame a 13-shot deficit on the final day and edged USF (883) by one stroke for the tournament team title. Towson took third with a total of 886 with Santa Clara three shots back at 889.

Playing as an individual, Kertson scored the day's best round and established a career-low score in the process on his way to a third place tie with five other golfers. Kertson tallied a 3-under 69, matching LMU's Chase Nicolai for low round honors, and ended the tournament with a 2-over 218, six shots behind tournament champion Jobim Carlos of USF, who was the only player under par with a 4-under 212.

"It was nice to see Tyler finish the way he did," said Miller. "That's why we bring an extra player to play as an individual and get some experience."

Senior Bobby Monaco followed up yesterday's 70 with a final round 1-over 73 to complete the three rounds with a 4-over 220. Freshman Evan McLeod shot a 2-over 74 today and also came in at 220. The two tied for 10th with Towson's Juan Veloza giving the Broncos three top 10 finishers.

Sophomore Gio Gandionco fired a final round 1-under 71 to finish in a 21st place tie with a 224 (+8) and Scott Lowe scored an even-par 72 to complete the event in 29th place at 227 (+11). Sophomore Drew Miller rebounded nicely from a first round 80 and tied for 30th after a final round 1-over 73 brought his total to 228 (+12).

"Everybody played really well in the final round," Coach Miller stated.

As a team the Broncos navigated the final 36 holes at 3-over 576, the best total among the 11 competing teams, but couldn't overcome a first round 310. "I think we're all disappointed with a fourth place finish," Coach Miller said. "But it was good to see the guys come together and have a nice final two rounds to finish respectable. By far this was our best final round performance."

Santa Clara's fourth place finish was its best since winning the 2011 Long Beach State Del Walker Invitational.

Cabo del Sol Intercollegiate Final Team Standings

1. UC Irvine 300-292-290 = 882 (+18)

2. San Francisco 295-284-304 = 883 (+19)

3. Towson 305-287-294 = 886 (+22)

4. Santa Clara 310-290-289 = 889 (+25)

5. Bowling Green 302-293-295 = 890 (+26)

6. CS Northridge 309-288-297 = 894 (+30)

7. Seattle 309-290-296 = 895 (+31)

8. Weber State 308-286-304 = 898 (+34)

9. Texas State 309-292-298 = 899 (+35)

10. South Dakota State 313-313-295 = 921 (+57)