The Seattle University men’s golf team continued its strong play in the final round of the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate, tying for the lowest score of the day to finish in second place Tuesday at the tournament hosted by Washington State University at the Palouse Ridge Golf Club.
As a team, Seattle U combined for a third round score of 280 (-4) to complete the tournament with a three-round total of 839 (-13), ahead of third place Cal State Fullerton by four strokes. The three-round total is the lowest for the Redhawks since the golf program was reestablished in the fall of 2008, breaking the previous mark by 14 strokes.
“I am extremely proud of the way our boys bounced back from last week’s disappointment,” Seattle U head golf coach Marc Chandonnet said. “Golf can be an extremely difficult game at times, and we definitely showed some grit and tenacity with a nice finish this week.”
Ross Kukula (Ocean Park, Wash.) overcame a bogey-double bogey stretch, birding four of the final 10 holes to shoot 69 (-2) and finish the tournament in third place at 206 (-7). Kukula collected 16 birdies during the three-round tournament, finishing five strokes behind medalist Derek Bayley of Washington State and one stroke behind the Cougars’ Aaron Whalen in second place.
Joe Harvie (Orting, Wash.) posted the lowest score of the day, earning an eagle on the par-five fifth hole along with four birdies against just one bogey in shooting 66 (-5), moving up into a tie for fourth place in the final standings at 207 (-6). Patrick Sato (Bellevue, Wash.) played well through most of the day with 16 pars, but two holes above par resulted in a third round score of 74 (+3), tying Sato for 19th place at 212 (-1).
Kyle Cornett (Mill Creek, Wash.) was also steady through most of the day, earning 15 pars, one birdie, and two bogeys for a final round 72 (+1) and a 54-hole total of 217 (+4), good enough for 34th place. Ahren Young (Renton, Wash.) posted his second straight 73 (+2) thanks in part to four birdies, completing the tournament in a tie for 59th place at 226 (+13).
The Seattle University men’s golf team next heads to Mexico for the Cabo Del Sol Intercollegiate, hosted by Santa Clara University Oct. 4-6.