(Boulder Creek, NV) Behind a final round score of 315 the Park University Gilbert men’s golf team finished in third place in the California Pacific Conference Championships at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder Creek, Nev.
The Bucs had a few more struggles on the course today but was able to hold on to finish in a tie with Simpson University who shot a final round 311.
On the ladies side, Taylor Granson shot a final round 83 to finish in seventh place, just three shots out of an all-conference berth. Gracie Soto shot a career-low 87 and Sammie Quilter posted a final round 91 for her best round of the tournament.
For the men, freshman Josh Smith had 13 pars and a birdie as he posted the best round of the day for the third round in a row with a final round 76 which put him in 10th-place, his first top-10 finish in a full three-round tournament.
Senior Max Callarman after a front side 42, finished his Buccaneer career with a memorable back side one-under 35 to finish with a 77 which put him 13th. The backside 35 had back-to-back birdies on the par-3 12th and par-5 13th.
Freshman Noah Blaickner shot a 79 to complete his first year of collegiate golf with a 17th-place finish, while Josh Jack, the third freshman in the Bucs lineup shot a final round 83.
For the ladies, Granson had 10 pars in her round as she finished her collegiate career with her best ever finish in a tournament. Soto posted one birdie and five pars in her career-best round. Soto also posted her career best finish in a tournament as she mover up four spots to 12th-place. Quilter’s final round 91 kept her in 14th-place where she started the day.
With the conclusion of this tournament, the Buccaneers say farewell to three seniors in Max Callarman Gunnar Hurt and Taylor Granson. Hurt is the only player from the original 2019-20 season to play all four years, while Callarman and Granson transferred in and gave the team many memorable rounds. Their experience and top-shelf play will be missed.
The future is bright for the Buccaneers as their Cal Pac Championship lineup featured four freshman on the men’s and women’s side who all are expected to return to 2023-24. Smith and Blaickner played in every event this season while Jack, who transferred in at the semester gained valuable experience. Soto continually got better as the year went along and will look to make a big jump next season. All will be looked upon for guidance from an incoming class which stands at five on the men’s side and three on the women’s right now.
“I am excited for the future of the program,” said coach Justin Searles. “We have some solid competitive players coming in next year and that added level of competition will only make us better in tournaments.”
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
Click on Logo
