Complete Results
Santee, CA – Western New Mexico's men's golf team posted the lowest round of the day to jump five spots and finish second in the 16-team, 90-player Southern California Intercollegiate Tuesday. Led by closing 3-under par 69s by Gonzalo Pan De Soraluce (Madrid, ES/Greg Norman Academy) and Sam Ruston (Birmingham, ENG/Chase Terrace Technology), Western shot a 2-under-par 286 in perfect conditions around a challenging par 72 Carlton Oaks Country Club. The Mustangs shot 294 and 296 on Monday to land in 7th place after the opening 36 holes before the fireworks of the final round began. No. 18 Sonoma State won the event by 10 shots with rounds of 282, 292 and 287 (+3).
Pan De Soraluce finished fourth individually with rounds of 75-70-69, while Ruston was just a shot back in fifth place (74-72-69). James Temple (Malahide, IRL/Malahide Community School) shot 72-78-74 to tie for 25th place. Other Mustang scores included: T36—Pedro De La Vega (Toluca, MX/Colegio Argos), 73-80-75–227; T64- Harry O'Callaghan (Leeds, ENG/Priesthorpe HS) 79-77-77; and 86th--John Gallegos (Rio Rancho, NM/V, Sue Cleveland HS) 85-82-79--246
"We were lucky to be able to get into San Diego as we were originally scheduled for Lubbock Christian's event, but terrible weather forced it to be canceled on Friday. San Diego had a late cancellation and we got the call Friday afternoon. We just loaded up the van and turned right instead of left, said WNMU Head Coach Kent Beatty.
"The kids are getting good and they really hung in there (today)," Beatty continued. Gonzalo and Sam were very impressive today with their 69s on a much heralded Pete Dye golf course. Both those kids have put themselves in the middle of the action and that's exactly what we need. We also got good rounds from Pedro (De La Vega) and James, so things are coming along nicely," said Beatty
The Mustangs, currently ranked No. 28 in the DII rankings, bested some quality teams, including No. 8 Chico State, No. 17 Cal St. Monterey Bay and #21 Dixie State. In addition to Dixie State, Western topped South Central Regional opponents Colorado-Colorado Springs and Regis and are closing in on a post season spot.
