Idaho men’s golf coach John Means has been telling his team over and over they’re a good team. Means proved he was right after this weekend.
The Vandals dominated the University of Wyoming Southern at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club Saturday and Sunday in Maricopa, Arizona. Sophomore Jared du Toit won the individual title and three Vandals finished in the top five.
“What I saw down there at this tournament was I saw they finally believed it, that they were as good as I’ve been telling them that they were,” Means said.
He said proof of that was how well Idaho played the final round.
“They played very well that final round,” Means said.
Means said if it wasn’t for a “freak accident” on the next to last hole by Ryan Porch, Idaho would have shot the best score in every round.
Idaho has almost a three week break before it tees it up again at the Price’s Give ‘Em Five Invitational Oct. 24 to 26 in El Paso, Texas.
Last weekend, Idaho led from round one to round three shooting a round-low 285, a round-low 281 and a 288 in the final round for a 10-underpar 854.
Means said Idaho never let up and shot well all 54 holes.
“That’s the sign of a true championship team,” Means said.
San Francisco shot a 7-over-par 871 to finish second, 17 strokes behind the Vandals. There were eight teams in the invitational including UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, Wyoming, Nebraska, Northern Colorado and Fort Lewis College.
While Idaho won by 17 strokes as a team, the competition for the best score individually was a little closer. Du Toit shot rounds scores of 69, 68 and 69 for a 10-under-par 206. He was the only player to shoot in the 60s all three rounds.
Arizona State’s Mathias Schjoelberg shot a 9-underpar 207 for second place. Du Toit and Schjoelberg were tied after the first two rounds of play, but du Toit was able to shoot one stroke better than Schjoelberg in the final round.
Arizona State did not compete as a team, but three of their players competed as individuals.
“He (du Toit) played very smart golf,” Means said.
Senior Aaron Cockerill and junior Rylee Iacolucci tied for fifth, carding 2-under-par 214 scores. Senior Sean McMullen tied for 16th with a 5-over-par 221 and sophomore Ryan Porch tied for 28th after shooting an 11-over-par 227.
Means said his team just played golf and didn’t worry about the scores. He said his team had never played on this golf course before, except for practice Friday.
Idaho’s Daniel Sutton, who played as an individual, shot a 2-over-par 218 to tie for 11th.
Means said with the way Sutton played, he put the team on notice that he’s ready to step into the starting lineup.
“I know Dan can play,” Means said. “I know Dan can be an integral part of this team.”
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]