Sept. 18, 2001
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Tucker Invitational On Tap For Aztecs
Fresh off its second-place finish at the Mid Pines Intercollegiate, the San Diego State men's golf team will face what could be a preview of next spring's NCAA West Regional at the 47th annual William H. Tucker Invitational Friday and Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M. The two-day, 54-hole tournament is being hosted by the University of New Mexico at UNM's Championship Course. The par 72, 7,248-yard venue will also host the 2002 NCAA West Regional, May 16-18. The tournament opens with two rounds on Friday, Sept. 21, followed by the third and final round on Saturday, Sep. 22.
Formidable Field
The field at this year's William H. Tucker Invitational should be one of the most challenging of the season for the Aztecs. In addition to 23th-ranked San Diego State, the field features 10 teams that opened the season in Golfweek's college golf rankings, including six top-25 squads.
Tucker Rewind
San Diego State was in the hunt until the final day at last year's William H. Tucker Invitational before finishing seventh at 14-over 878. Brigham Young, one of only two teams to break par, finished atop the pack at 3-under 861. UNLV placed second at 1-under 863 as Mountain West Conference teams accounted for four of the top seven scores. Individually, John Lieber was the only Aztec to shoot a sub-par total, placing eighth at 1-under 215.
A Quick Look At The Aztecs
The San Diego State men's golf team picked up right where it left off in 2001, shooting a combined 17-under-par total of 847 to take second at last week's Mid Pines Intercollegiate in Southern Pines, N.C. The tournament was won by Texas Tech, which bested SDSU by three strokes, carding a combined 20-under 844. Junior John Lieber fired a third-round 3-under 69 to climb from sixth to third in the final individual standings with a two-day total of 9-under 207. Sophomore Mark Warman also finished in the top five, completing the 54-holes a stroke behind Lieber at 8-under 208. Junior Lars Johannson and freshman Gilberto Rodriguez both carded final rounds of 70 to tie for 21st, while senior Brandon Kearney placed 36th.
Statistically Speaking
Two Aztecs, John Lieber and Mark Warman, posted sub-70 stroke ratings at the Mid Pines Intercollegiate, averaging 69.0 and 69.3 over the three-round tournament. Lars Johannson and Gilberto Rodriguez weren't far behind at 72.3 strokes per round, as each golfer nearly averaged par for the 54-hole event.
How Low Can You Go
Lars Johannson, the 2001 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, led both SDSU and the league in stroke average at 72.4 over 36 rounds last season. John Lieber (72.8) and John Lepak (73.1) also finished up among the MWC's top 10 in stroke average, ranking fifth and seventh, respectively, among those players with at least 10 rounds of play.
Give That Man A Medal
San Diego State golfers brought home medalist honors in three tournaments last season. Lars Johannson led the way, winning back to back tournament's at the Western Intercollegiate (10-under, 206) and the BYU Cougar Classic (7-under, 209). John Lepak completed the Aztec trifecta, winning the Mountain West Conference individual championship (3-over, 219) in cold and windy conditions. John Lieber nearly opened the season with another medal for the Aztecs, finishing just one stroke off the pace at last week's Mid Pines Intercollegiate.
Fast Finishers
After posting 19 top-10 finishes last season, San Diego State golfers were at it again in Southern Pines, N.C., as both John Lieber and Mark Warman finish near the top of the leaderboard in third and fifth, respectively. Lars Johannson, who finished tied for 21st at Mid Pines, led the way a year ago, placing in the top 10 in an amazing 7-of-12 tournaments. Lieber and John Lepak weren't far behind with five and six top-10 finishes, respectively. Brian Miller posted the Aztecs' other top-10 finish during 2000-01 with his 10th at the Fresno Lexus Classic.
Head Coach Dale Walker
San Diego State enters its second season under the direction of head coach Dale Walker. He guided the Aztecs to a top-25 ranking and a 12th-place finish at the 2001 NCAA West Regional in his first year at the helm. A 1980 graduate of SDSU, Walker was a standout performer for the Aztecs from 1975-79, competing in every event.