COTO DE CAZA, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders put together a strong showing at the Van Harte Orange County Collegiate Classic, finishing second overall a team score of 872 (+8) at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club. After surging into contention with a 285 (-3) in the second round, the Highlanders closed with a 295 (+7) in the final round, narrowly finishing two strokes behind CSU Fullerton (870, +6).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Hartej Grewal led the Highlanders with a steady performance, finishing in eighth place at 217 (+1) after back-to-back rounds of 70 (-2) in the final two rounds.
- Von Wasson, who opened the tournament with a spectacular 66 (-6), finished tied for 10th place at 219 (+3). Despite an 80 (+8) in the final round, Wasson's early dominance helped keep the Highlanders in contention.
- Chanhee Ryu finished tied for 24th place at 224 (+8) after rounds of 72 (E), 76 (+4), and 76 (+4).
- Mark Gao had one of the biggest turnarounds of the tournament, rebounding from an 86 in round one with a stellar 68 (-4) in round two. He closed with an even-par 72 in the final round, finishing 30th at 226 (+10). Gao capped off his tournament with an eagle on the par-5 18th hole, highlighting his strong finish.
- Liam Hartling rounded out the team effort, finishing tied for 31st at 228 (+12) after rounds of 77 (+5), 74 (+2), and 77 (+5).
- Link to results: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/234326/scoring/team
FROM COACH MARY RITCHIE
- "So many positives to take from this event. Firstly, this is our best team performance in several years," said coach Ritchie. "To be in the lead and in contention right up to the final few holes is outstanding experience for our team. The guys all contributed to our runner up finish. Getting to go head-to-head with three other Big West teams made today feel like a conference championship round which I think will bear fruit later. We need to tidy up our driving clubs, as a bit more precision could have put us in the top spot, and we'll focus on improving that. We're very proud of our guys and the work they've put in thus far. This finish is a big boost of confidence for us and we'll build on it!"
NOTABLES
- UC Riverside's 285 (-3) in round two was the lowest team score of the tournament's second round.
- Grewal's back-to-back rounds of 70 (-2) helped him climb into the top 10.
- Gao's 68 (-4) in round two marked an 18-shot improvement from his opening round.
- Wasson's 66 (-6) in round one was one of the lowest rounds recorded in the event.
- Gao closed the tournament with an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.
UP NEXT
- The Highlanders head to Palm Desert where they will compete in the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate from February 24th – 26th.
