Oct. 2, 2016
Burlington, Iowa ----- The San Jose State University men's golf team had its best finish in nearly three years placing third at the 12-team GolfWeek Conference Challenge.
The Spartans finished with a two-under par team score of 862 on the par 72, 7,179-yard Spirit Hollow Golf Course. Kansas, which had the low team scores in the second and third rounds, captured team honors at 846. Texas A&M was second at five-under par 859.
"It was a good step forward. We're doing some good things," said San Jose State men's golf coach John Kennaday, whose team played shorthanded until the final round. Community college transfer Sean Talmadge missed the first two rounds due to a back injury. The last time San Jose State finished as high as third was at the 2013 Price's Give `Em Five Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
"It was a team effort. I'm really proud, because they fought and grew a lot. It really felt like a team effort."
Junior Matthew Murray led the Spartans with a career best finish tying for sixth at three-under par 213. For the first time at San Jose State, Murray either matched or bettered par in each of his three rounds.
Scott Munger had his first top-20 finish since his freshman year in 2014-15. Munger closed with an even par 72 for a one-under 215 and tied for 12th place. His opening round 68 was one of eight scores out of 13 of par or lower by the Spartans.
Kevin Velo and William Barnett were two of five golfers tying for 26th at four-over par 220. The Spartans also got a two-over 74 from Talmadge that was essential in the final round for the third place finish.
Kansas' Chase Hanna and Chandler Phillips of Texas A&M tied for medalist honors after 54 holes at 10-under par 206. Only 17 out of 60 players shot par or better for the tournament.
San Jose State is next in action at the Alister Mackenzie Invitational hosted by the University of California at the Meadow Club in Fairfax, Calif. The 54-hole tournament begins on Monday, October 10 and concludes Tuesday, October 11.
Final 54-hole results from the Golfweek Conference Challenge
Spirit Hollow Golf Course, Burlington, Iowa
Par 72 7,179 yards
| Team Standings | |
| 1. Kansas | 287-276-283 = 846 (-18) |
| 2. Texas A&M | 283-287-289 = 859 (-5) |
| 3. San José State | 278-291-293 = 862 (-2) |
| 4. James Madison | 292-289-285 = 866 (+2) |
| 5. Lipscomb | 289-281-297 = 867 (+3) |
| 6. Southern Illinois | 297-282-294 = 873 (+6) |
| 7. Iowa | 292-298-284 = 874 (+10) |
| 8. McNeese State | 285-302-289 = 876 (+12) |
| 9. Charleston Southern | 290-302-293 = 885 (+21) |
| 10. Miami University (Ohio) | 295-292-299 = 886 (+22) |
| 11. Missouri -- Kansas City | 297-302-295 = 894 (+30) |
| 12. Idaho | 303-314-297 = 914 (+50) |
| Leading Individuals | |
| T1. Chase Hanna, Kansas | 72-67-67 = 206 (-10) |
| T1. Chandler Phillips, Texas A&M | 68-71-67 = 206 (-10) |
| 3. Raymond Knoll, Iowa | 69-71-69 = 209 (-7) |
| San José State scores | |
| T6. Matthew Murray | 71-70-72 = 213 (-3) |
| T12. Scott Munger | 68-75-72 = 215 (-1) |
| T26. Kevin Velo | 71-74-75 = 220 (+4) |
| T26. William Barnett | 68-72-80 = 220 (+4) |
| 60. Sean Talmadge | WD-WD-74 = 74 |