NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Santa Clara men's golf scored a final round 296 to finish off its first event of the spring season with a third-place showing at the UC Irvine Anteater Invitational with a 879 total.
Junior Matt McCarty led the Broncos with a final-round 72 to finish the event tied for fifth with a pair of golfers at even-par 216. It was the fourth career top-5 for McCarty, who has been the team's top finisher in four of five events this year.
As a team the Broncos earned their third top-5 in five events overall, falling one swing behind Grand Canyon for runner-up honors. Cal State Fullerton won the title with a 1-under 863 total.
"We can't get too far behind (in the rankings)," head coach Rob Miller said. "We need to have better showings than this."
Finishing off the tournament with a pair of 75s, Derek Ackerman claimed a share of 14th-place at 5-over 221. It was the 11th career top-20 for the senior.
Sophomore Zack Kaneshiro bounced back from a second-round 78 to finish four swings better on Tuesday. His 7-over 223 landed him in a tie for 20th. Konrad Brauckmeyer finished alone in 23rd with his 225 total and Will Del Biaggio carded a 227 to tie for 25th.
"We need more out of our 3, 4 and 5 players," Miller added. "Those spots are uncertain right now."
Playing as an individual in his first event of the year, Jack Avrit carded a Santa Clara low of 2-under 70 on Tuesday to earn his best finish as Bronco, grabbing a share of eighth at 1-over 217.
"It was nice to see Jack back in the swing of things. He was out most of the fall and has been working hard to find his game," Miller said of his sophomore.
Berk Harvey had a final-round 78 for a 235 total.
They all finished behind Grand Canyon's Filip Lundell, who led wire to wire to claim the individual title by four shots with an 8-under 208.
The spring season continues for the Broncos on Feb. 22 when they are scheduled to compete in the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate at the Classic Club Golf Course in Palm Springs.
Santa Clara Final Individual Results
| T5. | Matt McCarty | 70-74-72 = 216 (E) |
| T8. | Jack Avrit (I) | 72-75-70 = 217 (+1) |
| T14. | Derek Ackerman | 71-75-75 = 221 (+5) |
| T20. | Zack Kaneshiro | 71-78-74 = 223 (+7) |
| 23. | Konrad Brauckmeyer | 77-70-78 = 225 (+9) |
| T25. | Will Del Biaggio | 74-78-75 = 227 (+11) |
| T50. | Berk Harvey (I) | 80-77-78 = 235 (+19) |
(I) Competed as an individual
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