2008 Woodie Awards
Golf team places third in first invitational of new season
By: Thomas Lawrence
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports
Wet conditions, cool temperatures and a 751-mile trip couldn't stop the Wildcats from starting the season strong and placing third in the 37th annual Western Washington University Golf Invitational at Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
The Wildcats, led by head coach Travis Brown, battled several top Division II programs including Sonoma State and host Western Washington University.
Brown, in only his second season as head coach, took the team to the 2008 NCAA West Regionals.
"I'm excited to battle for this championship," he said.
The Wildcats opened up well Friday, shooting 283 as a team, behind only the Sonoma State Seawolves, who were in the lead with 278, or 10-under-par.
Brandon Harkins, a junior communications major and transfer from Santa Barbara City College, led the way for the Wildcats with a 4-under-par 68 in the first round.
"I sprayed it off the tee a little bit," Harkins said, self-critical after his first-round performance tied him for first place with Seawolf Spencer Shishido. "I just think if we be patient, we'll improve on today."
Being two states away for the Wildcats' first regular season competition of the year didn't faze Brown, who displayed confidence in his roster.
"I've got a team of guys that have played all over the country," Brown said.
The second day of the invitational brought more frustration than satisfaction for the Wildcats, who finished with a score of 572, 12 strokes behind champion Sonoma State.
Freshmen Kyle Souza and Eric Frazzetta were bright spots for the Wildcats, finishing tied for 11th place and helping to keep the team in competition while leaders such as Harkins struggled in the second day.
Souza shot a 71 and 73, respectively, while Frazzetta was at even-par 72 both days of the tournament.
"For freshmen, they're ahead of the game," Brown said.
Better days are ahead for Souza and Frazzetta, who thought golfing in Washington was a sizable adjustment, they said.
"Definitely a little bit of a shocker coming over here, I think it was like 55 (degrees) when we got here," Souza said.
Frazzetta echoed Souza's sentiments.
"I think it makes everything tougher," he said.
Junior Lucas Delgado bounced back from an opening-day 77 with an under-par 71 on day two, finishing at 4-over-par.
"(He was) still struggling with his golf swing a little bit … he showed a lot of maturity," Brown said.
A consensus for the Wildcats' troubles seemed to be putting, Brown said.
"We've got to putt better," he said. "We've got to strike the ball."
Thomas Lawrence can be reached at
tlawrence@theorion.com
The Wildcats, led by head coach Travis Brown, battled several top Division II programs including Sonoma State and host Western Washington University.
Brown, in only his second season as head coach, took the team to the 2008 NCAA West Regionals.
"I'm excited to battle for this championship," he said.
The Wildcats opened up well Friday, shooting 283 as a team, behind only the Sonoma State Seawolves, who were in the lead with 278, or 10-under-par.
Brandon Harkins, a junior communications major and transfer from Santa Barbara City College, led the way for the Wildcats with a 4-under-par 68 in the first round.
"I sprayed it off the tee a little bit," Harkins said, self-critical after his first-round performance tied him for first place with Seawolf Spencer Shishido. "I just think if we be patient, we'll improve on today."
Being two states away for the Wildcats' first regular season competition of the year didn't faze Brown, who displayed confidence in his roster.
"I've got a team of guys that have played all over the country," Brown said.
The second day of the invitational brought more frustration than satisfaction for the Wildcats, who finished with a score of 572, 12 strokes behind champion Sonoma State.
Freshmen Kyle Souza and Eric Frazzetta were bright spots for the Wildcats, finishing tied for 11th place and helping to keep the team in competition while leaders such as Harkins struggled in the second day.
Souza shot a 71 and 73, respectively, while Frazzetta was at even-par 72 both days of the tournament.
"For freshmen, they're ahead of the game," Brown said.
Better days are ahead for Souza and Frazzetta, who thought golfing in Washington was a sizable adjustment, they said.
"Definitely a little bit of a shocker coming over here, I think it was like 55 (degrees) when we got here," Souza said.
Frazzetta echoed Souza's sentiments.
"I think it makes everything tougher," he said.
Junior Lucas Delgado bounced back from an opening-day 77 with an under-par 71 on day two, finishing at 4-over-par.
"(He was) still struggling with his golf swing a little bit … he showed a lot of maturity," Brown said.
A consensus for the Wildcats' troubles seemed to be putting, Brown said.
"We've got to putt better," he said. "We've got to strike the ball."
Thomas Lawrence can be reached at
tlawrence@theorion.com
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