CHICO, Calif. -- Vanguard men's golf tied the program's third-best score for a 54-hole tournament over the past two days at the Chico State Wildcat Classic and placed 12th at the event. The 883 (292-290-300) from the Classic matched the score VU posted at last year's NCAA Regional. Three VU golfers made their debut, and freshman
Carson Limpus paced the lineup with a 215 (70-71-74) to end tied for 28th. Vineet Vallamsetty led Chico State to the team title (822, -42, 277-262-283) and captured the individual gold medal as well (202, -14, 68-65-69).
The Course: The Peach Tree Golf Course has been one of the premier golf courses in Northern California for the past 60 years. Designed by Bob Baldock, the 6,898-yard course is set amidst the valley's beautiful peach, plum, and walnut orchards. The greens are layered with a Bermuda grass layout, studded with wide fairways, old-growth trees, and strategically placed bunkers that offering a challenging yet rewarding arrangement for competitors. It is a par 72.
What Happened? Limpus was three under after the end of Monday's action, going two under for round one (70) and one under for round two (71). He pocketed six birdies during both rounds and had 15 total pars, which put him in a tie for 22nd, seven shots off the lead.
Tyler Williams was next upon the conclusion of day one, as he went one over (73) and then two under (70). He had only one birdie on the first hole to start Monday's journey, with two bogies and 15 pars. However, he blew through the course on his second trip, going one under on the front nine with eight pars and a birdie on the sixth hole. His brightest moment came on hole 11, as he chipped in early for an eagle on the par-five hole, and he had two more birdies later to end tied for 33rd entering the final round.
Samuel Santillan was tied for 48th after his first two collegiate rounds, going +3 (75) than hitting an even round of 72. He had four birdies and nine pars during round one before putting up a 72 on round two, using 14 pars and two birdies to complete his day.
Paul Howard was tied for 60th entering Tuesday, as he had rounds of 74 and 77, with three birdies and 11 pars during round one. Howard also cinched his best stretch on the back nine during round two, as he had eight pars and one birdie to end his day.
Hayes Hunton was in 72nd after day one, posting a 91 before salvaging his afternoon with a 79, during which he had 11 pars and a birdie on the seventh hole.
On day two, Limpus lost a couple of strokes but still managed a 74, stitching together two birdies and 12 pars. He ended tied for third on par-three performance (-3) and was tied for seventh with 14 birdies. Williams had a 76 to complete his tournament, with two birdies on the back nine and nine pars, including nine in a row. He ended with 219 shots in a tie for 45th. Two spots and one shot behind him was Santillan, who posted a 73, the team's best score on Tuesday, to close out his first collegiate tournament in a tie for 47th. Only three bogeys marred his card, and he had birdies on the sixth and 11th holes in addition to 13 pars. In 62nd was Howard, who had a 77 on Tuesday for his final stint to net 228 strokes. He had 10 pars and birdies on the second and 11th holes to wrap up the tournament. Hunton had a 91 to tally 261 in 71st, with four pars found throughout his final day.
What was Said? "It was really great to see our freshman start off so strong this week," relayed Head Coach
Claire Shubin. "We know what to work on as a team before our next tournament, and we are excited to grow throughout this season."
What's Next? Vanguard heads north for the CSU Monterey Bay Otter Invitational October 12-13.
