BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. - The Western New Mexico Men's Golf Team finished up round three of the Battle In The Desert, hosted by Cal State San Bernardino at Rams Hill Golf Club ins Borrego Springs, Calif. with a star-studded field of teams. The Mustangs moved up, 8th yesterday, through the rankings, but this time finishing in 3rd place at (+13), 299-298-280-877.

Fifth year senior Joey Geary (Phoenix, AZ/Sunnyslope HS) came out on fire in the third round with a tournament low and a career-low of 65, that helped carry his teammates up the leaderboard. Geary leads all Mustangs as he finished T-12th at (+1) 75-77-65-217, with nine birdies (seven today, with zero bogeys). This was described as a "pyrotechnic masterclass" by Head Coach Kent Beatty. 

His Mustang teammates still all held their weight, as they climbed up five spots on the day thanks to a season best 8-under par round of 280.

T-16th is Tomas Ribeiro (Porto Seguro, BR/Evolução Centro HS) with a card reading (+3), 72-76-71-219. Ribeiro recorded 12 birdies in the tourney. The next Mustang up was Adam Niles (Kamloops, BC/Valley View Secondary HS) at (+6), 78-73-71, earning him T-25th. Niles was good for 12 birdies.

Max Kaesebier (Bad Langensalza, Germany/Pierre-de-Coubertin Gymnasium) and Arnav Arkanath (Milton Keyes, GB/Sir Henry Floyd HS) finished T-37th at (+9). Kaesebier shot 76-76-73, with nine birdies and Arkanath's scorecard showed 73-76-73-225 and 12 birdies, with an eagle.

"A great team performance this week capped by a brilliant final round," said Assistant Coach Harry O'Callaghan. "Credit to Joey for his stunning bogey 65 (-7) in the final round. A solid debut by Max, we counted his score in all three rounds. Adam, Arnav and Tomas battled hard all week and kept us with all 5 scores live at all times each round which is so important to try and do. Tomas was clutch round 1, Arnie and Adam led us in round 2 and then both Adam and Tomas broke par today in round 3. The attitude of all five guys was tough and calm throughout the three rounds on a difficult golf course."

Try include all 5 guys' scores please if you can as usual. 

WNMU was able to take down all of the West Region's leaders, as well as CSU-Pueblo, the number one ranked team in the Mustangs' own South Central Region.

Florida Southern took first place at (+3). Georgia Southwestern claimed second place at (+9) and Cal State San Bernardino tied the Mustangs for third place at (+13).

Simon Bjorken of Cal State San Bernardino took down Mateo Quiroga of Georgia Southwestern in a two-hole playoff for the tournament win at (-5). Dylan Bercan of Hawaii-Hilo and Arman Rahgozar of Cal State San Marcos round out the top three at (-4).

"I think today showed that we can a) perform to a very high level and b) do so when in counts the most, in the final round," said O'Callaghan. "A lot of positives for us to build on. Coach Beatty and I are proud of our guys."

The Mustangs will be back in action on March 11th for the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout.

Results Link:

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!

 

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok & Instagram)