Feb. 24, 2004
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's golf team fired a final round score of 302 on Tuesday to finish fifth out of 10 teams at the UC Irvine Anteater Invitational held at the Santa Ana Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif. SCU ended the tournament with a team total of 892
Senior captain Justin Ahasic claimed medallist honors by one stroke despite a final round 75, carding a three-round score of 3-under par, 213. Ahasic held off Matt Mincer of Charlotte and Travis Bertoni of Cal Poly for the victory as both players finished 2-under for the tournament.
For his efforts, Ahasic becomes the first Bronco to claim medallist honors twice in one season, adding this trophy to the SCU Invitational trophy he claimed during the Fall Season this year. He shot an even-par, 216 at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club on October 27-28.
"It was a phenonmenal finish for Justin," said head coach John Kennaday. "He came through in the clutch today, making birdie on the 18th hole for the victory was pretty amazing."
Ahasic was tied for the lead going into the par-5 18th before crushing a 3-iron on his second shot to about 12 feet from the hole. He calmly made his two-putt for the victory.
Michael Nicoletti was the next highest finisher for the Broncos, ending the tournament in a tie for 20th place with his 10-over par score of 226. Jong Yoon finished one stroke behind Nicoletti and in a tie for 23rd with his 227 total.
Jonathan Edwards finished 12-over par and in a tie for 28th place after a final round 76, while Klenz ended in a tie for 44th at 17-over par after carding a 5-over par, 78 on Tuesday afternoon.
Second-ranked UCLA captured the team title with their team total of 872, followed by UC Irvine's 882. Cal Poly finished third at 888 while UC Riverside came in just ahead of the Broncos with their 890.
Santa Clara returns to action on March 8 and 9 at the Herb Wimberly/New Mexico State Intercollegiate that will be held in Las Cruces, N.M. Following that the Broncos will participate in the Western Intercollegiate hosted by San Jose State on March 22-23 at the Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz.
