The Fresno State men’s golf team finished with a season-best fourth place at the Bulldogs’ home tournament, the Watney Invitational.
Led by seniors Jake Bettencourt and Jaden Hunter, the Bulldogs were able to make a push at the title but ultimately fell short on the back nine.
“We’ve had an inconsistent year, so for us to get into the hunt like this and feel the pressure, we didn’t react to it great today,” said Head Coach Chad Spencer. “But I think it’ll bode well for us the rest of the season.”
Both seniors had their best finish of the season in a tie for sevent place at one-over for the tournament.
At one point in round three, Bettencourt had the round of the day going. But two late bogeys pushed him back to finish with a season-low round of 2-under.
“We haven’t had the year we wanted to,” Bettencourt said. “Getting at home and getting a good finish, a solid finish as a team is gonna do a lot for us the rest of the way.”
Hunter followed up an opening-round of 72 with a bogey-free 70. His final round one-over capped off his best finish of the season.
Sophomore Von Wasson played a steady final round, keeping the ‘Dogs in contention until the very end.
“Started off not great,” Wasson said. “Went bogey bogey to start, so kind of just had a mental reset and decided, let’s just do the best we can from here.”
Wasson was able to steady the ship, playing his last 16 holes at one-under par.
Nash Arthurs and Zack Tarter rounded out the team with final rounds of 9-over and 10-over.
The Bulldogs were just three shots off of the eventual winners, the Nevada Wolf Pack, with just a couple of holes to play.
Late bogeys pushed the ‘Dogs off the podium with a total score of 14-over and in fourth place overall.
“We didn’t hit the right shots at the right time today,” Spencer said. “But, I think the future is bright for us and the rest of the season.”
The men’s team will have a quick turnaround as they will look to build off of this momentum next week at San Diego State’s home tournament, the R.E. Lamkin Invitational, on March 9-10.
