STOCKTON, Calif. – The Western Washington University men’s golf team finished in a tie for 3rd place at the 2017 NCAA Division II West/South Central Super Regional played Monday-Wednesday at Brookside Country Club, punching its ticket to the NCAA II National Championships later this month.
The Vikings battled windy conditions down the stretch on the Par 72, 6,777-yard course to finish with a final round team score of 1-under-par 287. WWU’s 54-hole team score of 17-under-par 847 was one stroke better than 5th-place Cal State Monterey Bay and a three-stroke advantage over 6th-place Chico State. The top 5 in the team standings advance to the 2017 NCAA Division II Championships that will be played May 22-26 at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.
“It was an amazing finish and an all-around great week for the Vikings,” said head coach Luke Bennett, in his fourth year leading the program. “The entire team all year long has done everything I asked and shown they can play with anyone. Their solid season is just solidified by this week’s great performance.”
This marks WWU’s ninth trip to the Division II Championships and first since 2013. The Vikings have qualified for the regional tournament in all 19 seasons since Western joined the Division II ranks.
“What an accomplishment for this great group of guys,” added Bennett. “The whole team, all 11 guys, played a big part in this. We are excited to continue our season and represent Western Washington University on the national stage.”
Senior Brett Johnson (Ridgefield, WA/Oregon State) led the Vikings with a 3-under-par 69 in the final round to finish the competition in a tie for 6th place at 10-under-par 206. Johnson was 1-under at the turn on Wednesday, and then helped seal the trip to nationals with four birdies on the back nine.
Senior Chris Hatch added a solid 2-under-par 70 in the final round to finish the tournament in a tie for 15th place at -5 (211). Hatch carded four birdies on the back nine to solidify WWU’s standing in the top five.
“Chris and Brett were rock stars today,” said Bennett on his two seniors. “They battled, stayed patient and were very calm all day. They were true leaders. I am very fortunate to have those two, along with Jeffrey (Marcum) as seniors. They’ve been an integral part to our
Sophomore Michael Butler (Sammamish, WA/Skyline) turned in a 2-over-par 74 in the final round to finish in a tie for 31st at -2 (214) for the tournament.
Senior Jeffrey Marcum (Richland, WA/South Mountain CC) tied for 91st (+8, 224) and sophomore Chris Hatch (Bellingham, WA) tied for 101st in the 108-player field at +12 (228).
California Baptist won regional title finishing the tournament at 30-under-par, an 11-stroke advantage over 2nd-place Stanislaus State. Trevor Lampson of Cal Baptist won individual medalist honors finishing at 15-under-par (201), which included a 10-under-par 62 in Monday’s first round.
— @WWUMGolf —
