The Arizona men’s golf team, for the fourth year in a row, capped off another win at the Arizona Intercollegiate, shooting a team score of 284-275-291 for a combined score of -2 (850.)
For those who don’t know how college golf tournaments work — while some can be different, most, including the Arizona Intercollegiate, has each team play five players. At the end of each day, you take your lowest four scores out of the five players and add that up. Whichever team has the lowest combined score from each day wins.
It was no easy win as the Wildcats had to overcome some uncharacteristic cold, snow and wind to go wire to wire in this year’s tournament. To make things even better, redshirt senior Brad Reeves took home his first individual title, shooting scores of 68-69-72; -4; (209) over the three days. Head coach Jim Anderson was very proud of his guys and the way they battled the harsh conditions.
“We had another full day on the golf course,” Anderson told Arizona Athletics following the second round. “Our team has handled the adverse conditions very well with the snow delay and adjusting to changes on the course. Thankfully, everyone stayed in their rounds and we mounted a very strong finish to post a good score today. [Reeves] birdied three of his last four and [Banke] finished with two birdies as well. We will clean up a few mistakes and we believe we can have the low final round with continued great play.”
The Cats’ get a small break before they head to “The Prestige” tournament at PGA West located in La Quinta, California. PGA West is home to the PGA’s American Express tournament which was just won by Si Woo Kim last Sunday, Jan. 24. The Prestige will start Monday, Feb. 15.
RELATED: The traumatic brain injury that led to a lifelong love for golf
The Arizona women’s golf team got their season rolling at the Superstition Challenge, but with only three players eligible, they didn’t have enough players to field a full team. So instead, sophomores Gile Bite Starkute and Therese Warner along with freshman Maya Benita played as individuals. Starkute and Warner finished tied for 15th at +10 and Benita who was making her Arizona debut finished 18th at +16.
While the three players didn’t have their best games, it was a learning experience and a nice way to get the season started after the long break.
“We were able to pinpoint some weaknesses this week in preparation for the Lamkin Invitational next week,” head coach Lauren Ianello told Arizona Athletics. “The ladies battled some tough conditions this week and gained some valuable experience. Playing this event is a key first step to continuing to develop and improve ahead of our next tournament.”
Ianello is hoping to have her team back to 100% for the Lamkin Invitational played at the Farms Golf Club in San Diego, California. The Lamkin Invitational is scheduled to start on Monday, Feb. 8.
Follow Seth Litwin on Twitter
