Cavs Finish 10th at Golf Digest Collegiate
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March 14, 1999
LAS VEGAS – The University of Virginia golf team turned in its best performance of the spring season so far, finishing 10th at the Golf Digest Collegiate Invitational today at The Desert Inn Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cavaliers, who won the event last year, finished with a 54-hole total of 887.
The Cavaliers got off to a slow start in Friday’s first round and were unable to stay in the race to retain their title. They began today’s final round in 10th place and shot a 292 today, but it was not enough to move any higher.
Freshman Steve Marino had the best outing of his young collegiate career and was Virginia’s low man, finishing in a four-way tie for 14th place. He shot a 71 in the first round and was third after 18 holes, but fell off the pace following a 74 yesterday. He finished with a 1-over par 217 following an even-par 72 today. Marino was joined in the top-25 by sophomore Mike Mitchell, who finished tied for 21st at 219 (76-70-73).
All-American James Driscoll dropped out of contention early following an 80 on Friday, but he rebounded the final two rounds firing 71-70, finishing in a tie for 32nd at 221. Cameron Yancey tied for 57th at 230, while Shep Stevens, playing in his first tournament this spring, finished 74th with a 241.
UNLV shot a blistering 12-under par 276 today to take the team title. The Rebels trailed Georgia by five strokes at the start of today’s final round, but managed to overtake the Bulldogs for the four-stroke win. Three UNLV golfers finished in the top-10 to propel the homestanding Rebels to a 54-hole total of 855, 11 under par.
Texas freshman David Gossett, who held or shared the lead after each round, sank a 10-foot putt for birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Georgia Tech’s Bryce Molder. Both had pars on the first playoff hole. They tied at 8-under 208, one shot ahead of Charles Howell of Oklahoma State.
Team Results Top-10 Individuals 1. UNLV 855 (-9) 1. David Gossett, Texas 208 (-8)** 2. Georgia 859 2. Bryce Molder, Georgia Tech 208 3. Oklahoma State 862 3. Charles Howell, Oklahoma State 209 4. Clemson 863 4. Ryuji Imada, Georgia 210 5. Georgia Tech 870 5. Lucas Glover, Clemson 211 6. Arizona State 878 Charley Hoffman, UNLV 211 7. Texas 879 James McLean, Minnesota 211 8. New Mexico 880 8. Chris Berry, UNLV 213 9. Houston 882 Michael Kirk, UNLV 213 10. Virginia 887 10. Wil Collins, New Mexico 214 11. Arizona 893 ** won on second playoff hole 12. Minnesota 894 Virginia Golfers: 13. California 896 T14. Steve Marino 217 (+1) (71-74-72) 14. Southern Methodist 905 T21. Mike Mitchell 219 (+3) (76-70-73) 15. Texas Christian 909 T32. James Driscoll 221 (+5) (80-71-70) T57. Cameron Yancey 230 (+14) (77-76-77) 74. Shep Stevens 241 (+25) (80-82-79)