Men's Golf

Aztec Golfers Claim Duck Invitational Crown for Third Tourney Title of the Season

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March 25, 2008

CRESWELL, Ore. -

Complete Tournament Results in PDF Format

A balanced lineup once again proved fruitful for the San Diego State men's golf squad as the Aztecs captured their third team title of the season on Tuesday with a victory at the 20th annual Oregon Duck Invitational in Creswell, Ore. Paced by three top-11 individual finishes, SDSU completed the tournament at 9-over-par 873 after shooting a 4-over 292 during the final round at the 7,093-yard, par-72 Emerald Valley Golf Club. With its effort, the Scarlet and Black took home its fourth Duck Invite crown (2001, 2004, 2006, 2008), winning by 11 strokes over Oregon State (+20) and host school Oregon (+20).

"This was a very satisfying victory for us," said SDSU head coach Ryan Donovan. "The course got the best of us in certain places, but our players persevered and were able to build on the momentum that they started from the second round all the way to the finish."

Individually, the Aztecs' best round of the day belonged to freshman Matt Hoffenberg who was the only SDSU player to shoot in red figures after firing a 1-under 71. The Simi Valley, Calif., product finished the tournament at 5-over 221, but was able to climb 17 spots from Monday into a tie for 11th place. Hoffenberg, who also made a significant jump into the top 20 at last week's Barona Collegiate Cup, now leads the team with 10 rounds below par this spring.

Fellow classmate Johan Carlsson also crept up the leaderboard on Tuesday, tying for the fifth position after carding his best round of the week at even-par 72. With his performance, the Gothenburg, Sweden, native posted a 54-hole total of 3-over 219 en route to his highest finish of the spring season.

The course was not kind to Aaron Goldberg (Encinitas, Calif.), however, as the Aztec senior shot an atypical 3-over 75 on the day to finish alone in third place with a combined even-par 216. Goldberg entered the final round in the second spot just five strokes off the pace, but was betrayed by five bogeys and settled for third behind medalist T.J. Bordeaux of Pacific (-6) and Oregon's Joey Benedetti (-1). Despite the stumble, Goldberg still managed his fifth top-five showing of the season and third of the spring.

Meanwhile, senior Chad Moscovic's score counted for the second round in a row, as the Stockton, Calif., product climbed five places into a tie for 33rd after carding a 74 over the final 18 holes to finish at 10-over 226. Rounding out the Aztec delegation was junior David Palm (Landvetter, Sweden), who just missed out on a top-20 finish, tying for 21st at 8-over 224 following a final-round 76.

After playing three tournaments in successive weeks, San Diego State gets a well-deserved two-week break before returning to action at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational, April 11-13, in Tempe, Ariz.

Oregon Duck Invitational At Creswell, Ore Emerald Valley Golf Club (7,093 yards, par 72)
Final Team Standings1. San Diego State 292-289-292 - 873 (+9)T2. Oregon State 299-295-290 - 884 (+20)T2. Oregon 298-292-294 - 884 (+20)T4. Arkansas 296-297-293 - 886 (+22)T4. Pacific 285-301-300 - 886 (+22)6. Washington 304-291-297 - 892 (+28)7. Portland 299-298-300 - 897 (+33)T8. Idaho 296-304-299 - 899 (+35)T8. Washington State 309-285-305 - 899 (+35)10. UC Davis 297-295-309 - 901 (+37)11. Northern Colorado 333-313-312 - 958 (+94)
Individual Leaders (Top 10 + SDSU)1. T.J. Bordeaux, Pacific 68-68-74 - 210 (-6)2. Joey Benedetti, Oregon 73-71-71 - 215 (-1)3. Aaron Goldberg, SDSU 71-70-75 - 216 (E)4. Tyler Simpson, Oregon State 74-73-70 - 217 (+1)T5. Johan Carlsson, SDSU 74-73-72 - 219 (+3)T5. James Allenby, Oregon State 74-74-71 - 219 (+3)T5. Vincent Johnson, Oregon State* 76-68-75 - 219 (+3)T5. Colter Kautzmann, Idaho 73-72-74 - 219 (+3)T9. Nick Ellis, Washington State 78-69-73 - 220 (+4)T9. John Wise, Washington 74-75-71 - 220 (+4)T11. Matt Hoffenberg, SDSU 73-77-71 - 221 (+5)T21. David Palm, SDSU 74-74-76 - 224 (+8)T33. Chad Moscovic, SDSU 80-72-74 - 226 (+10)
*Competed as an individual