The University of Idaho’s men’s golf team had its strongest finish yet, as all five Vandals finished in the top 25, and the team took a fourth place finish at the Western Athletic Conference Championship earlier this week.
The men traveled to San Jose, Calif. after preparing in specific areas of their games for the WAC championship.

“We played really well, we battled in the wind for three straight days,” coach Lisa Johnson said.
Wednesday’s play was strong and the windy conditions did not distract the men’s concentration. They executed their shots and finished with the lowest team score by five strokes in the final round.

“To have the lowest team score in the final round by five strokes proves the hard work these men have put in,” Johnson said.
The Vandal men were set at a solid seventh place coming into the final round of play at Cinnabar Hills Golf Course.
Johnson said it was easy to lose focus and get frustrated with the conditions they had to play in, but the men remained calm anyway.

“They were patient, and did a great job of making solid decisions,” Johnson said.
Johnson said New Mexico State was the best team at the tournament, and played very well considering their strongest player hurt his hand during one of the rounds and was unable to finish the tournament. Johnson had no doubts that the Vandal men were very comparable to every team present at the tournament.
New Mexico State took the WAC title with a total of 891 after all three rounds. The Vandals finished the event at 919.

“Our performance is very encouraging for the returning players, as well as for the seniors,” Johnson said. “It was a great ending for them.”
Sophomore David Nuhn was the Vandals top finisher at 11th place with a total at 228. Junior Russell Grove shot a 229 and tied for 12th and senior Colter Kautzmann tied for 23rd with a 234. Senior Ben Weyland and sophomore Brad Tensen tied for 25th at 235.

Weyland received second team all-conference honors.
Boise State’s top finisher, Troy Merritt, had his fifth straight individual win as he took the WAC title, Johnson said. Boise State also took second as a team.
The 2008 fall season will feature six returning players as well as three incoming freshmen from Washington.

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