Sept. 24, 2011
Complete Results
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University tied for second in an 11-team field at its 40th annual Viking Men's Golf Invitational that ended Saturday at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
WWU, ranked No.8 in the Golf Coaches Association of America Preseason Coaches Top 25 Poll, shot a 3-over par 291 in the final round for a 36-hole total of 584.
Cal State Stanislaus, which held a six-shot lead after Friday's first round, finished with a 12-under 276, the best round of the tournament, for a winning score of minus-13 563.
The Vikings and Saint Martin's (288) tied for runner-up, and Hawaii-Hilo (288) and Grand Canyon (289) tied for fourth at 585.
Cal State Stanislaus entered the tourney rated No.17 nationally, Hawaii-Hilo No.22 and Grand Canyon No.25.
"It was a disappointing performance on our home course," said WWU coach Steve Card (19th year). "That's not to take anything away from Cal State Stanislaus, which blew everyone away. But to shoot eight over par on two rounds at home is not good golf."
"It's the beginning of the season and we got a wake-up call. Now it's time to step up and play the way we can."
Trevor Blair from Cal State Stanislaus took medalist honors at 9-under 135, finishing with a 69. He fired a 6-under 66 on Friday for a five-stroke lead.
Tied for second at 141, six shots back, were four players. They included two Vikings, Dylan Goodwin (Jr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) (70) and Nick Varelia (Sr., Kent/Kentwood) (68), who was playing as an individual, Matt Epstein (70) from Saint Martin's, and Scott Secord (69) from British Columbia.
WWU's Jake Webb (Jr., Issaquah/Skyline) tied for 19th (74=147), and Mark Strickland (Mukilteo/Kamiak) (74=148) and Brian Barhanovich (Sr., Everett) (73=148) tied for 23rd.
Two other Vikings competed as individuals. Craig Crawford (So., Stanwood/Highland Christian) (71=149) tied for 27th and Thomas Jun (Sr., Federal Way/Todd Beamer) (151) tied for 35th, his 3-under 69 being WWU's best round of the afternoon.
WWU next competes at the Saint Martin's Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at Olympia (Olympia Golf Club).
