Before the WAC Championship the Idaho men’s golf team knew winning the whole tournament was possible.
“Every team in the field we have beaten before so all things being equal, we thought we had a chance if everyone played well,” coach John Means said.
It’s hard to tell what a tournament will bring and after three days of golf in various conditions, the Vandals couldn’t quite pull it off and finished fourth at the Rio Del Secco Golf Club.
The Vandals did not make it easy for the other teams as Vandal freshman Sean McMullen came out of the gate on fire.
“Day one, it was all about McMullen,” Means said. “Sean was getting the ball close and hitting some great putts.”
Means said the course was set up to score the first day with easier hole location and no wind. Eight golfers finished under par on day one, but McMullen shot a seven-under 65, just one shot off the course record set by none other than Tiger Woods.
McMullen shot a great round and tied the Vandals for first with San Jose State. Senior Jarred Bossio finished the day tied for fourth, but others didn’t play so well.
“The other two seniors didn’t play well and if they played their normal game the first round, we’d have a huge lead instead of being tied,” Means said.
On the second day, pin placement was tougher, the wind picked up and it was a different result for McMullen.
“When you shoot a 65 and you’re a freshman and you don’t have a lot of experience, it’s very tough to come back the next day and play at that level — I have only seen it done two times in my entire life,” Means said.
Idaho needed help from seniors to keep the team score low but Means said it was not to be found. He said the team did not play well the second day but was still feeling all right sitting nine strokes off the lead on a difficult course.
“One of the most difficult I have ever seen. You can make up nine strokes on one hole. We actually felt pretty good,” Means said.
The third day featured 25-mph winds but Means said the Vandals played well considering the conditions.
“They made the golf course so hard the last round that unless you just blew up, you weren’t going to catch anybody cause you couldn’t make any birdies,” Means said.
Not being able to gain any ground, Idaho finished the day at 302 and finished 892 on the tournament. San Jose State took first with an 876, New Mexico State took second at 882 and Fresno State took third at 886.
They didn’t win the WAC Tournament, but the Vandals did make breakthroughs this season. For the first time in Idaho history, the team won two tournaments in one year. Also, McMullen and Bossio were recognized for their seasons.
McMullen was named freshman of the year by WAC coaches and Bossio was named to the first-team all-WAC.
“McMullen is a hard worker and I think he is going to have a great future here,” Means said. “He has got a little learning to do but he did a great job and I’m very, very proud of him.”
He said Bossio should get an invitation to the NCAA Championship, but their goal was to get the whole team there this year. He said it’s a bit of a let-down, especially when the team has three seniors.
“They got one out of two — they won two times — but there was some sadness and some disappointment about not being able to make it any further,” Means said. “Aside from Jarred, that’s it for those guys, it’s the last time they will tee up in Vandal uniform and it’s kind of a little bittersweet.”
Charles Crowley can be reached at [email protected]