Men’s Golf Takes Team Title At Ogio Invitational

Posted: Oct 07, 2014

PARK CITY, Utah – The Santa Clara men's golf team scored a tournament-low 7-under 348 in today's final round to capture the title at the 13-team Utah Ogio Invitational, completed today at The Jeremy Ranch and Country Club in Park City, Utah.

The Broncos had the lowest team score in each of the final two rounds and finished at even-par 1,065 with rounds of 361, 356 and 348 to place 11 shots ahead of runner-up Seattle in the six-count-five scoring event. It was Santa Clara's first team title since capturing the six-count-five Long Beach State Del Walker Invitational on March 8, 2011.

"We were happy to be in a position to get a win no matter what happened today," head coach Rob Miller said. "They proved they can handle being front runners and close out a tournament. The guys really turned it on at the end."

Four of Santa Clara's six players placed among the top eight with freshman Hayden Shieh leading the way coming in fourth at 1-under 212 after his final round of 72. "It's a winning formula to have four players finish in the top-10," said Miller.

Shieh birdied a tournament-high 13 holes over the three rounds and the Broncos led all teams with 51 birdies. "Another great performance from Hayden," Miller noted. "He was right there at the end and had a chance, but this is a good experience for him."

Seattle's Joe Harvie and Southern Utah's Nic Booth tied for medalist honors at 3-under 210.

Sophomore Tyler Kertson had the best individual round of the tournament and the second-lowest of his career with a final round 5-under 66 that included an eagle on the par-5, 540-yard 13th hole, the same hole Shieh eagled in yesterday's second round. Kertson moved 28 spots up the leaderboard today to finish tied for eighth at 1-over 214.

Drew Miller carded the second-best round of his career with today's 4-under 67 to claim his first top-5 finish. Miller scored four birdies and 14 pars to climb 17 spots up the leaderboard ending the day tied for fifth with a pair of players at even-par 213.

Junior Gio Gandionco scored a 1-under 70 today tying Kertson for eighth at 214. The finish matched his career-best.

A final round 2-over 73 left Carlos Briones tied for 41st along with teammate Evan McLeod, who carded an 81 today. Both players finished at 9-over 222.

"We don't have a true No. 1 player, we have a group of solid players," Miller stated. "And events like this (six-count-five) extend the depth of your squad. The more depth you have the better your chances."

The team returns to action on October 20 competing in the Bill Cullum Invitational in Simi Valley, Calif.

Ogio Invitational Final Team Standings

1. Santa Clara 361-356-348 = 1065 (E)

2. Seattle 360-361-355 = 1076 (+11)

3. Pacific 363-367-354 = 1084 (+19)

4. Boise State 370-366-359 = 1095 (+30)

T5. UT Arlington 369-368-359 = 1096 (+31)

T5. Arkansas-Little Rock 358-368-370 = 1096 (+31)

T5. Utah 366-360-370 = 1096 (+31)

8. Utah State 361-369-369 = 1099 (+34)

9. Southern Utah 366-371-366 = 1103 (+38)

10. Utah Valley 377-367-366 = 1110 (+45)