Feb. 19-21, 2012
Folino Invitational
The UC Riverside men’s golf team finished in eight place out of 10 teams in the Folino Invitational this past week. Led by David Gazzolo’s 226 (72-76-78), the Highlanders finished with a total team score of 929 in the invitational.The Highlanders started with a 307 in the first round which was good enough for seventh place, just five strokes over conference rival Cal Poly. UCR was unable to maintain its slight advantage over Cal Poly, however, as the Highlanders fired a 315 and Cal Poly shot a 305 in the following round to move the Mustangs past the Highlanders in the standings.
The Highlanders were unable to regain their seventh-place spot in the third round as UCR fired another 307. Cal Poly shot a 291 in the third round to finish in sixth and UC Santa Barbara fired a 312 to take the seventh spot. The Highlanders stayed put in eight place and finished the invitational with a three-round total of 929. The team was only 14 strokes behind UC Santa Barbara for seventh place.
David Gazzolo shot an even par in the first round, but shot higher scores in the following two rounds to finish with a 226 total. He finished in a tie for 20th place. Matt Fitzgerald finished with a 235 to end in a tie for 35th.
Big West rival Long Beach State was the dominant team of the event as the 49ers fired a 879 to win the invitational.
Feb. 25-26, 2012
Wyoming Desert Classic
Ryan Smith had a terrific performance at the Wyoming Desert Classic this past weekend. Smith lowered his scores in each and every round to finish with a 216. UC Riverside finished in 15th place out of 24 teams in the invite.
UCR shot scores of 301 and 296 in the first two rounds. Smith shot a 69 in the third round to lead UCR to an excellent final score in the third. The Highlanders fired a 293 in the final round to finish with a 890 in the classic. Freshman Ryan Smith was tied for 21st in the event.
UNLV was the winner of the classic as the Rebels shot a 844.
The Highlanders will play in the UCSB Pacific Coast Intercollegiate on April 2.
