Sept. 12, 2016
Spokane, Wash.----- The San Jose State University men's golf team hoped for a better start to the 2016-17 season, but finds itself in 14th place after 36 holes at the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate tournament hosted by Washington State University.
The Spartans have a 609 score on the par 71, 7,308-yard Palouse Ridge Course. San Jose State is 47 strokes behind tournament leader Washington State's six-under par total of 562. The Cougars, the only team under par, have a 15-stroke lead over second-place Utah at 577. Sacramento State at 582, University of British Columbia at 583 and Pacific at 584 round out the top five teams.
"We had a good qualifier and a good set of practices. We felt good about what we were doing, but we didn't hit our expectations early on today and didn't stay in the present," said San Jose State head coach John Kennaday about the team's first two rounds of competition this season.
San Jose State had its most success on the day playing the four par-5 holes. The Spartans were nine-under par, the fifth best among the teams in the field. San Jose State's 18 birdies among its five players was 23 fewer than Washington State's. San Jose State had its scoring problems on the five par-3 holes. The Spartans were last in par-3 scoring at 32-over par.
"Our iron play wasn't exactly top notch," Kennaday said.
Scott Munger was the top Spartan finisher on opening day with a seven-over par 149 and is tied for 42nd place in the 83-player field. His afternoon two-over par 73 was the best score for a San Jose State player over 18 holes.
Henrik Sohlberg is tied for 46th at 150. Matt Murray is tied for 67th at 155. Newcomer Sean Talmadge in his first San Jose State tournament is in 72nd place at 156. Brett Thawley is tied for 76th at 159.
Only seven golfers were at par or lower on a day that was cold and windy according to the Spartans head coach. Washington State has the top four scorers in the field led by Nick Mandell who is playing as an individual. He is at five under par 137 and has a three-stroke lead over three teammates.
The 54-hole tournament concludes with 18 holes starting at 8:00 a.m. (PT). Live scoring is available at www.birdiefire.com
36-hole results from the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate men's golf tournament
Palouse Ridge Golf Course, Spokane, Wash.
Par 71, 7,308 yards
| Team Scores | |
| 1. Washington State | 562 (-6) |
| 2. Utah | 577 (+9) |
| 3. Sacramento State | 582 (+14) |
| 4. British Columbia | 583 (+15) |
| 5. Pacific | 584 (+16) |
| 6. South Dakota | 587 (+19) |
| Fullerton State | 587 (+19) |
| 8. Utah Valley | 592 (+24) |
| Seattle U. | 592 (+24) |
| 10. Gonzaga | 595 (+27) |
| 11. Idaho | 596 (+28) |
| 12. UTRGV | 600 (+32) |
| 13. Western Washington | 603 (+35) |
| 14. San José State | 609 (+41) |
| Individual Leaders | |
| 1. Nick Mandell, Washington State (i) | 67-70-137 (-5) |
| 2. Derek Bayley, Washington State | 75-65-140 (-2) |
| Brian Mogg, Washington State (i) | 71-69-140 (-2) |
| Nicholas Chiam, Washington State | 71-69-140 (-2) |
| 5. Ethan Atherstone, Idaho (i) | 70-71-141 (-1) |
| (i) - playing as an individual entry | |
| San Jose State scores | |
| 42. Scott Munger | 76-73-149 (+7) |
| 46. Henrik Sohlberg | 74-76-150 (+8) |
| 67. Matt Murray | 78-77-153 (+11) |
| 72. Sean Talmadge | 76-80-156 (+14) |
| 76. Brett Thawley | 80-79-159 (+17) |