GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The best result of the year for Vanguard golf saw the team finish third at the Maverick Desert Classic today. The Lions were in contention for the win on Monday and Tuesday, with the Blue and Gold finishing three shots off the lead at 586 (292-294). Concordia St. Paul snuck in for the win at 295, with Rockhurst in second at 296.
Alexander Elia was the top placer for the Blue and Gold in a tie for fifth at one-under par. Brogan Paschal of Bemidji State won the contest at six-under par (138, 71, 67).
The Course: The championship layout was designed by Arthur Hills and is three par-three courses, with the North and South Course making up the 18 holes for the tournament. Each is a par 36 on a narrow tract which draws the desert in towards the grass, making any missed shot off the team hard to find.
What Happened? Elia had a 74 on round one, with birdies on the second, seventh, and 14th holes. He also garnered nine pars on day one, but he dropped his score by five on Tuesday. Elia had 13 pars and four birdies (sixth, eighth, 11th, and 14th holes) for a two-under round of 69 to set a season-best score and shoot up the standings for a top-five finish. Right behind him was
Charles Thurston, who finished tied for ninth with a two-day total of 144 (70-74). He had four birdies on the opening day on the seventh, 10th, 11th, and 14th holes, pairing those with 12 pars. He followed that performance with 12 more pars on Tuesday and pocketed two more birdies on the fifth and 14th holes to remain in the top 10 in the standings.
Matthew Wilkes tied for 28th at the end of the tournament at 149 strokes. His first tour of the two courses resulted in a 74, with 11 pars and birdies on the second and ninth holes. He deposited two more birdies today (second, fifth, 11th, 17th) and netted nine pars for a one-over round of 73.
Kyle Koski was three shots behind at 152 and opened his tournament with a score of 74 on Monday. He had four birdies (second, fifth, ninth, 17th) and 11 pars on Monday and landed 12 pars and a birdie on the 12th hole on Tuesday for a tally of 78.
Rex Robinette ended the event tied for 65th and had a strong start with a round of 74. He found birdies on the second, 11th, 14th, and 17th holes and banked 11 pars. He concluded the tournament with an 83 today, which included nine pars.
The team was tied for third in the field of 13 teams for performance on par-four holes (+20 overall), seventh in birdies with 28, and first in pars with 110.
What was Said? "I'm very proud of the way the guys battled against a great field," said Head Coach
Jeff Anderson. "We are trending in the right direction as a team. We had a standout performance by freshman Alex Elia, sophomore
Charles Thurston, and senior
Matthew Wilkes. We will get after it at the Sonoma event after Spring Break."
What's Next? The Lions play next at the Sonoma State Spring Invite on March 24-25.
