Men's golf second at Anteater Invitational after 36 holes

Calimesa, Calif.-----Sophomore Isaac Weintraub shot a one-under par 143 and senior John Witherall added an even par 144 leading San Jose State University to a second place start at the Anteater Invitational men’s golf tournament.

The Spartans have a 36-hole total of 582 on the 7,009-yard Southern California PGA Champions golf course. The six-over par score matches the best 36-hole start by the team this season. When San Jose State won the Santa Clara Invitational to close out the fall season, the Spartans fired a 582 team score for the first 36 holes.

Weintraub put together rounds of 72 and 71 for his 143 and is tied for third place one stroke behind co-leaders Jesse Fitzgerald of St. John’s University and Long Beach State’s Torey Edwards. Witherall, who also had a one-under par 71 in the afternoon round, is in a three-way tie for sixth at even par 144 in the 75-player field.

"Isaac hit the ball real solid. He’s hitting really well. He has a lot of confidence in his driver right now. There’s no reason why he or John can’t win the tournament,’ said associate head coach John Dormann.

Three of the five Spartans had at least one under par round Monday. Senior Steve Bendt was one of four first-round co-leaders with a three-under par 69. His morning round included five birdies and an eagle. Bendt added a 77 in the afternoon round and is tied for 13th place.

"We made a ton of birdies. We hit our short irons close and capitalized on the par 5’s," added Dormann. "Generally, we played good, smart golf.

"In the first round, we had a couple of guys two or three over par early, but they hung in there. Steve Bendt was three over after five and finished with a 69. Thise are the things that make a difference."

St. John’s is the team leader with a 578, four shots ahead of San Jose State. UC Riverside is third at 588 and UC-Irvine, the host school, is fourth at 590 in the 14-team field.

The 54-hole tournament concludes with 18 holes on Tuesday, March 26.

36-hole results from the Anteater Invitational
Southern California PGA Champions Golf Course, calimesa, Calif.
Par 72, 7,009 yards

Team Scores
1. St. John’s (N.Y.) 578
2. San Jose State 582
3. UC Riverside 588
4. UC Irvine 590
5. Santa Clara 591
6. Boise State 597
7. San Diego 598
UTEP 598
9. Long Beach State 599
10. Arizona 600
11. CS Sacramento 601
12. Idaho 608
13. Utah 623
14. CS Northridge 626

Individual Leaders
1. Jesse Fitzgerald, St. John’s 69-73-142
Torey Edwards, Long Beach State 70-72-142
3. Matt Kienz, Santa Clara 74-69-143
Graham DeLeat, Boise State 71-72-143
Isaac Weintraub, San Jose State 72-71-143

Other San Jose State Scores
6. John Witherall 73-71-144
13. Steve Bendt 69-77-146
23. Bobby Powers 74-75-149
55. Bryant Reyes 78-77-155