Oct. 14, 2014
FAIRFAX, Calif. - San Diego State's Riccardo Michelini (Carpi, Italy) tied for fourth place on the individual leaderboard Tuesday to lead the Aztec men's golf team during the final round of the Alister MacKenzie Invitational at the historic Meadow Club. The SDSU junior fired a 73 over the final 18 holes for a two-day total of 4-under 209 on the par-71, 6,734-yard course layout.
Battling windy conditions, the Aztecs slipped two places in the team standings after shooting a collective 297 to finish the tournament in sixth place at 2-over 854. Host California (-13) rallied to capture the team title at its home event for the sixth consecutive season and ninth time overall with a two-shot victory over Arizona State (-11), while Oregon State (-14) took third for the second year in row, followed by UC Davis (-3) and Pepperdine (+1).
Michelini eased the sting of four bogeys on the day by draining two birdies at Nos. 12 and 16 to secure his first top-five performance of the season and fourth of his collegiate career, finishing in a tie with Jonathan De Los Reye of Saint Mary's, five strokes in back of Arizona State's Max Rotluff (-9), who captured medalist honors ahead of Oregon State's Tyler Collier (-7) and Sebastian Crampton of California (-6).
Brian Song (Beverly Hills, Calif.) was the Aztecs' No. 2 finisher, posting a final-round 75 to remain in a tie for the 30th position at 4-over 217. The SDSU sophomore found birdies elusive on Tuesday, but managed to record 14 pars against four bogeys.
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele (San Diego, Calif.) matched Michelini for the team's low score of the day with a 73 of his own to climb 14 spots into a tie for 35th at 5-over 218. The Aztec senior experienced three bogeys on his first 10 holes before regrouping with five pars and two birdies down the stretch compared to just one bogey.
Conversely, PJ Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii) suffered a reversal of fortune, dropping from the 12th position into a tie for 44th after staggering to an 81. The SDSU freshman began with a birdie on the par-4, 443-yard No. 2, which ranked as the third toughest hole of the day; however, a double-bogey at No. 10 and a quadruple-bogey at No. 16 spoiled his round.
Junior Michael Koeneke (San Diego, Calif.) tied for the 44th spot as well after recording a 76 on Tuesday. The Torrey Pines High alumnus sank two birdies at Nos. 7 and 16, but five bogeys and a double-bogey proved too much to overcome.
San Diego State will now have close to four months off before kicking off its spring schedule on Feb. 9, 2015, when it plays host to the Barona Collegiate Cup at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside, California.
Alister MacKenzie InvitationalFinal ResultsThe Meadow ClubFairfax, Calif.Par 71, 6,734 yards
Team Scores (Top 6 of 16 teams)1. California 279-272-288--839 (-13)2. Arizona State 271-278-292--841 (-11)3. Oregon State 274-278-292--844 (-8)4. UC Davis 275-283-291--849 (-3)5. Pepperdine 283-285-285--853 (+1)6. San Diego State 273-284-297--854 (+2)
Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 80 players + SDSU)1. Max Rotluff, Arizona State 68-66-70--204 (-9)2. Tyler Collier, Oregon State 69-66-71--206 (-7)3. Sebastian Crampton, California 68-66-73--207 (-6)T4. Riccardo Michelini, SDSU 68-68-73--209 (-4)T4. Jonathan De Los Reye, Saint Mary's 63-77-69--209 (-4)----T30. Brian Song, SDSU 69-73-75--217 (+4)T35. Xander Schauffele, SDSU 67-78-73--218 (+5)T44. PJ Samiere, SDSU 69-70-81--220 (+7)T44. Michael Koeneke, SDSU 71-73-76--220 (+7)