May 9, 2012

Complete Results

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - Overcoming a poor start, the Western Washington University men's golf team rallied to place fourth and claim one of five qualifying berths to nationals from the Central/West Regional which ended Wednesday on the Gold Course at the Wigwam Golf and Country Club.

The Vikings advance to the NCAA II National Championships on May 15-19 at The Cardinal Club in Louisville, Kentucky. It will be their first appearance since 2008.

WWU began final-day play fifth with a five-stroke advantage over sixth-place Cal State Monterey Bay, the defending regional and national champion.

That lead evaporated quickly as WWU lost 11 strokes to par over the first nine holes and just after the turn found itself in seventh place as Dixie State, which was 10-under through the first 12 holes, climbed into fifth.

But the Vikings rallied, playing the back nine in three under to finish the 54-hole tournament at 12-over par 876 with a round of 297. Host Grand Canyon fell two spots to fifth at 877 (304), Dixie State finished sixth at 886 (287) and CSUMB was seventh at 889 (305).

"It was an atrocious start, a lot like last year," said WWU coach Steve Card (19th year), whose squad began final-day action at the 2011 regionals tied for third and placed sixth. "But unlike last year when we couldn't get it done, this time we did.

"Our players didn't let it get away, they actually went out and took it. I'm not focusing on how we started, but rather on how we got it done at the end. This team has played well all year long. They belong at the national championship."

Cal State Stanislaus, which began the day fourth, 10 strokes off the lead, came back to win the team title by four strokes with an even par 288 for a three-day total of 865.

Chico State, the tourney leader each of the first two days, was runner-up, two strokes off the pace at 869 (302). Colorado Mines placed third at 871 (300) in the 20-team field.

The Vikings' Nick Varelia (Sr., Kent/Kentwood) tied for fifth in medalist play at 216. He shot an even par 72 with three bogeys and three birdies.

WWU's Dylan Goodwin (Jr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) was three under on the back nine after being four over on the front. He finished at 1-over 73 and tied for 12th at 2-over 218.

Sandy Vaughan (Jr., Seattle/O'Dea) tied for 21st at 221 (77), Craig Crawford (So., Stanwood/Highland Christian) tied for 29th at 224 (78) and Jake Webb (Jr., Issaquah/Skyline) tied for 77th at 233 (75).

Colorado Mines' Jim Knous took medalist honors at 7-under 209 (73). Chico State's Kyle Souza was second, two strokes behind, at 211 (74).

There was a delay of over an hour late in the day because of high winds, rain and lightning.