2008 Woodie Awards
Golf saves best for last
Seniors carry Gaels to third place finish
Frankie Mangini
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Sports
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Saint Mary's had an impressive final round to jump six spots for a third place finish at the Saint Mary's Invitational last week. The Gaels had the best final round of any of the 18-team field in the competition.
The Gaels struggled in the early part of the tournament as they shot a team score of 302, which put them 14 strokes off the lead and in 11th place overall. Four of the Gaels' five golfers had their worst round of the tournament, putting them at a disadvantage.
But the Gaels rallied back in the second round on Monday, shooting an impressive 291. Despite Saint Mary's rally, the Gaels moved up only two spots to ninth place. Senior Mike McRae had the best round of any Gael with an even par 72. Seniors Chadd Cocco and Josh Kelley shot 73s, a stroke better than their opening rounds.
Going into the final round of play, West Coast Conference rivals Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount were ahead of the Gaels. These two teams held a four shot lead over the Gaels.
But in the final round of the day, Cocco led the Gaels with his best round of the tournament, shooting a three-under-par 69. As a team the Gaels shot a 290. Saint Mary's jumped six spots, which included passing both Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, who both scored 304s in their final round.
Saint Mary's easily overtook Wisconsin, who had a seven stroke lead on the Gaels. The Gaels finished the tournament overall with an 883, 19 over par to tie for third place. The Gaels lost by five strokes to Baylor and were one shot out from catching second place University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Individually the Gaels placed fairly well. All three seniors were tied going into the final round. Cocco had the best finish of the three and placed tied for third with an overall even score of 216.
McRae was second for the Gaels and finished 11th out of the 95 player field with a three-over-par, 219. McRae had two solid rounds, shooting a 72 in both the second and third round. Kelley was next for the Gaels. Kelley was +3 going into the final round before struggling and finishing his tournament with a 79. Kelley ended the tournament in 36th place.
Sophomores Daniel Cone and Rob McRae labored through their first rounds as they shot 80 and 79 respectively. But both seemed to settle down. Cone finished with a 73 followed by a 74 for a respectable 227, 11 over par for the tournament. McRae was one stroke behind Cone, shooting a 74 and 75 for an overall 228.
The Gaels will compete next at the Xavier Invitational. The tournament will begin on October 1 in Ohio.
The Gaels struggled in the early part of the tournament as they shot a team score of 302, which put them 14 strokes off the lead and in 11th place overall. Four of the Gaels' five golfers had their worst round of the tournament, putting them at a disadvantage.
But the Gaels rallied back in the second round on Monday, shooting an impressive 291. Despite Saint Mary's rally, the Gaels moved up only two spots to ninth place. Senior Mike McRae had the best round of any Gael with an even par 72. Seniors Chadd Cocco and Josh Kelley shot 73s, a stroke better than their opening rounds.
Going into the final round of play, West Coast Conference rivals Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount were ahead of the Gaels. These two teams held a four shot lead over the Gaels.
But in the final round of the day, Cocco led the Gaels with his best round of the tournament, shooting a three-under-par 69. As a team the Gaels shot a 290. Saint Mary's jumped six spots, which included passing both Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, who both scored 304s in their final round.
Saint Mary's easily overtook Wisconsin, who had a seven stroke lead on the Gaels. The Gaels finished the tournament overall with an 883, 19 over par to tie for third place. The Gaels lost by five strokes to Baylor and were one shot out from catching second place University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Individually the Gaels placed fairly well. All three seniors were tied going into the final round. Cocco had the best finish of the three and placed tied for third with an overall even score of 216.
McRae was second for the Gaels and finished 11th out of the 95 player field with a three-over-par, 219. McRae had two solid rounds, shooting a 72 in both the second and third round. Kelley was next for the Gaels. Kelley was +3 going into the final round before struggling and finishing his tournament with a 79. Kelley ended the tournament in 36th place.
Sophomores Daniel Cone and Rob McRae labored through their first rounds as they shot 80 and 79 respectively. But both seemed to settle down. Cone finished with a 73 followed by a 74 for a respectable 227, 11 over par for the tournament. McRae was one stroke behind Cone, shooting a 74 and 75 for an overall 228.
The Gaels will compete next at the Xavier Invitational. The tournament will begin on October 1 in Ohio.