DAVIS, Calif. - Three Western Washington University men's golfers, including medalist Tim Feenstra, birdied the 18th hole of the final round Tuesday, helping the Vikings claim the team title in the UC Davis Aggie Invitational Tournament at the El Macero Country Club.
The Vikings finished tied with nationally No.3-ranked Cal State Bakersfield atop the 15-team field, which included seven teams from the top 16 in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II national ranking, at 881, but claimed the title based on the second tiebreaker.
The first tiebreaker, the third-round score, was tied at 294, but the Vikings held a seven-shot edge, 294-301, in the second tiebreaker, the second round. Western had entered the final round tied for third, two shots off the pace.
"In my opinion, it's the biggest regular-season win we've ever had based on the quality of the field," said Western coach Steve Card, whose team entered the tourney ranked No.16 nationally. "I couldn't be happier. To bring home the hardware is awesome."
No.7-ranked Cal State Stanislaus was two shots back at 883 after a final-round 298, with No.9 Francis Marion SC fourth (297-884) and host No.4 UC Davis fifth (298-885).
Feenstra (R-Fr., Lynden) shot a 1-under par 71 in the final round to finish with at 5-under 211, winning the individual title by four shots. Alan Scheer of UC San Diego, Scott Gordon of UC Davis and Ron Killmer of Cal State Bakersfield were tied for second at 1-under 215, with Scheer's 68 being the low score of the final round.
Feenstra, who entered the final round with a two-shot lead, earned his second tourney victory of the season. He has finished in the top four in five events.
"What an incredible freshman year he's having," Card said of Feenstra. "This tournament had all the top players in Division II in it. He not only won, he won handily and was the class of the field this week.
"On 18, he holed a 40-footer from the front of the green. As it turns out that was the putt that perhaps won us the golf tournament."
Western's John Richer (So., Everett) shot a final-round 73 to finish tied for 13th at 220. Chris Anderson (So., Papillon, NE) tied for 21st (76-223), Josh Immordino (So., Kent/Kentwood) was tied for 43rd (74-229) and Luke Bennett (Fr., Bellingham/Sehome) tied for 51st (79-233) in the 73-player field.
"Winning a golf tournament of this caliber means we've got to be getting a good look at being at the national championship," said Card, whose team won for the third time this season. "I think we're due for a little respect, and I think we've earned that."
Western competes in the Grand Canyon Invitational next Monday and Tuesday.
