For the first time since 2004, the Arizona men’s golf team found themselves atop the Pac-12.
This year’s Pac-12 championship was played in Santa Rosa, California at Mayacama Golf Club, a course the team would end up being comfortable on. The team would finish their four rounds at -41, beating out second-place Arizona State by four shots and third-place Stanford by six shots.
Not only did Arizona win the team title, senior golfer Brad Reeves won the individual title, shooting a tournament score of -16. After the 72 holes were over, Arizona had already clinched the team title, but Reeves was tied with Stanford’s Henry Shimp for the individual title. Reeves would go onto beat Henry Shimp in a playoff hole, winning the individual title and making it a clean sweep for the Wildcats.
“We’re grinning from ear to ear because we are very excited as a bunch,” head coach Jim Anderson said. “I couldn’t be more excited for [Reeves] for the work he’s put in and the position he’s put himself in to even be the leader of our team.”
Reeves credits his routing for being able to battle his nerves down the stretch and when the playoff started.
“I just tried to do what I always do and go through my same routine,” Reeves said. “My assistant coach [Chris Nallen] was walking with me, so we just kind of talked through every shot. … The pressure and the nerves, it’s hard not to think about it but just kind of try to think through every shot and devote everything and all of my mind to every shot and not the moment itself.”
Winning the Pac-12 championship was one of the goals for this team coming into the season, but don’t think they are satisfied just yet. This team still has a lot of golf to be played.
The Wildcats will now play the waiting game until it is announced where they will go for regional play, for a chance to advance to the national championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Arizona women’s golf team finished their Pac-12 championship on Sunday, April 25. Their tournament was played at Stanford University’s course right near the campus. The team would finish fourth in solo competition, shooting a team score of +9. USC won with a winning score of -3.
“Our entire lineup finished in the top 30 of the field, which is a testament to how all our young ladies have grown and developed this season,” head coach Laura Ianello told Arizona Athletics.
Arizona will be headed back to Stanford for regionals. Hopefully, their extra knowledge of the course will be an advantage for them over the field. This year’s women’s national championship will also be held at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Follow Seth Litwin on Twitter
