Univ of SF photo
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2008) - USF men's golf posted its first tournament championship of the season with a triumph at the 2008 Saint Mary's Tournament Tuesday at the Poppy Hills Golf Course. Behind medalist Domingo Jojola, the Dons seized a five stroke win against runner-up Wisconsin at 855 (293, 279, 283).
It is the third career tournament medalist honors for Jojola, who fired a final round 70 for a one stroke victory against UC Irvine's Bryan Harris, finishing at 207 (71, 66, 70). The redshirt junior shattered his career 54-hole tournament low of 212 which was good for his last tournament victory at the 2007 UC Irvine Anteater Invitational.
"The team grew this week," USF head coach Gary Nelson said. "They are strting to believe in themselves more and more as we go along. With the addition of some newcomers and the return of Domingo and Jesse has really energized everybody. The intersquad competition is so good and so friendly, but very competitive."
Junior Chris Cunningham posted his second top-five finish of the young season, placing third with a two-under 211 (75, 68, 68). Competing in his first event in the Green & Gold, senior transfer Kyle Prolo shot a one-over 72 in the final round.
Freshman Ji Hwan Park led the field in par-3 scoring at 3-under (2.80) and along with Prolo, carded an eagle during the event. Jojolo shared the lead in birdies (14), while Cunningham shared third place (13). Prolo also ranked second among tournament leaders in par-5 scoring (4.50).
Assistant coach Rich Yokota believes the Dons strong start to the 2008-09 season is not a mistake, but the result of painstaking planning.
"Coach had this mapped out when I first started three years ago and it's fantastic to see it come together," Yokota said. "The character and the quality of the program is so exciting to see."
San Francisco led the field in par-3 scoring (3.05), par-5 scoring (4.75) and set the standard in birdies (53).
USF returns to action when it competes in the 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic in South Bend, IN. Tournament play begins Monday, October 6.
--Courtesy USF
ABOUT THE Saint Mary's Invitational
54-hole men's college tournament hosted by
St.
Mary's College (CA). Team (best four scores out
of five
players each round) and individual
competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information