The California Lutheran University men’s and women’s golf teams participated in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship tournament at Oak Valley Golf Club that finished up on April 28.

According to clusports.com, the men’s team concluded with a three day total of 893 (+29) finishing in a tie with the University of Redlands for third place. The women’s team finished with a three day total of 992 (+128) to place them fifth in the conference.

“Each one of us had a good scoring day, and each one of us also had a not so great scoring day, which is how it goes in golf,” team captain, McKay Weiler said.

Weiler had a three day score of 247 (+31), with a 79 in round one, which was the teams low for the tournament, a 82 on the second day, and finished with an 86 on the last day.

“I went six over through my last three which was a real bummer for me to end the season on that note,” Weiler said. “However, I felt that I dealt with the highs and the lows of the tournament the best way that I could and did my best to keep my head up despite my ending.”

According to clusports.com, Hannah Purdy led the Regals with a total of 245 (+29) to finish tied for 13th overall. Purdy shot an 86 on Sunday and followed with an 81 on Monday and a team-best 78 on Tuesday.

According to clusports.com, freshman Courtney Martin finished with a three-day total of 248 (+32), placing her 19th overall. Martin had the third best individual score with an 81 on day two which was the third lowest round.

Although the team will lose two important seniors next year, McKay said she believes incoming freshmen will be able to contribute right away next year which will help to fill the holes in the team.

“I think this was a great year overall for our team, and we had many accomplishments. We finished 17th in the nation for Division III and are looking very promising for next year despite the loss of two fantastic players, Jenna Gimbel and Hannah Purdy,” Weiler said. “We have a few freshman coming in and they will get the opportunity to play a couple tournaments in the fall in order to get accustomed to collegiate golf and get ready for the longer season in the spring. I think [the] mix of three returners and a few freshman will give our team a great leg-up going into the season.”

The men’s team had a slightly better outcome this week as they tied for third place.

Keegan Sheard led the Kingsmen once again this season and ended the tournament with a three day total of 223.

According to clusports.com, “Keegan Sheard continued his recent hot streak with a 54-hole total of 223 (+7) to place sixth overall. After etching his name into the CLU record books two weeks ago, the freshman fired two rounds of 73 sandwiched by a 77 in round two.

“We played solid as a team and should be proud of our accomplishments,” Sheard said. “I am very happy with my progress this year and I will continue to fire to reach the top.”

Barret McGinnis shot the lowest 18-hole round with a two-under 70. In round two McGinnis shot a 76, and finished the tournament with a 79 in round three. His score of 225 (+9) was good enough for eighth overall.

“My teammates played some of the best golf of the season and at the right time. We had the lowest team scores in rounds one and three edging out the University of Redlands, the number one team in the nation,” McGinnis said.

Connor Sipes
Staff Writer
Published May 6th, 2015