The Idaho men’s golf team struggled to find consistency during the fall season, but has found some to start off the spring, finishing in third place in the first two tournaments. The Vandals’ latest third-place finish came Saturday at the 2014 Desert Shootout, in Goodyear, Ariz.
File photo by Ricky Scuderi | Argonaut
Former Vandal Dylan Baker, left, and junior Aaron Cockerill practice at the University of Idaho Golf Course on Sept. 13, 2012. The men’s golf team finished third at the 2014 Desert Shootout Saturday in Goodyear, Ariz.
The tournament hosted a field of 15 schools and 90 golfers. All five of the Vandal golfers finished in the top half of the tournament field, with freshman Jared du Toit leading the team, finishing in second place.
Du Toit shot 66 in the final round, tying him for the lowest score in the third round. He finished the tournament with a 13-under-par 203.
Du Toit is one Vandal who did enjoy a strong fall season, finishing in the top 30 in four of five tournaments — including fifth place overall in his very first tournament in Pullman.
As for the rest of the Vandals, junior Aaron Cockerill tied for 24th with 4-under-par 212, sophomore Rylee Iacolucci tied for 29th with 3-under-par 213, junior Sean McMullen tied for 39th with an even-par 216 and freshman Ryan Porch tied for 44th with 1-over-par 217.
As a team, Idaho finished with 834 strokes, placing them only one stroke behind leaders Brigham Young and Texas-Pan American, who were tied for first with 833.
The Vandals placed ahead of notable teams from the Big-12 such as Nebraska, Kansas and Kansas State.
The team didn’t get much rest, as it was back in action Monday and Tuesday in Eugene, Ore., competing in the Oregon Duck Invitational. At publication time, Idaho was in eighth place, with a 6-over-par 295. They were one place ahead of Boise State.
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]