June 27, 2016
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State men's golfer Nahum Mendoza III (San Diego, Calif.) competed in the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup last weekend in Formby, England. The Aztec rising senior was one 10 collegiate players who represented the United States against their European counterparts in a Ryder Cup-style format at Formby Golf Club.
Mendoza posted a 1-1 record in two singles matches and split two other encounters in tandem with Southern California rising senior Rico Hoey, but Team Europe prevailed by a score of 18.5-11.5 in the 20th annual event. Despite the setback, the U.S. still leads the all-time series 10-9-1.
The first match of the event on Friday featured a foursomes competition in an alternate-shot format, pitting Mendoza and Hoey against the French duo of Robin Sciot-Siegrist (Louisville) and Antoine Rozner (UMKC). The Mendoza-Hoey combo was 1-up through 10 holes, but could not pad the lead, as their European foes rallied for a 3&2 victory.
Later that afternoon, Mendoza and Hoey turned the tables in their four-ball match against Sweden's Robin Petersson (Augusta) and Mathias Eggenberger (Stirling) of Switzerland, emerging triumphant, 1-up. Neither side led by more than one hole in the tightly contested affair as Mendoza drained a birdie on the 17th green to put the Americans in front for good. All four players subsequently made par at No. 18, giving the U.S. tandem the win.
In singles play on Saturday, Mendoza posted one of only three American victories after dispatching Austria's Matthias Schwab (Vanderbilt), 3&2. The second-team PING All-American and reigning Mountain West Player of the Year never trailed in the match, extending his advantage to 5-up at the turn. Schwab closed to within three after his adversary bogeyed the 15th. However, Mendoza clinched the match after both players recorded pars at No. 16.
Mendoza was unable to duplicate the formula in the first match of Sunday's final round as Antoine Rozner came away with a hard-fought win, 1-up. The two golfers battled throughout, with neither player able to build on a 1-hole cushion. The contest stood at all square after No. 9; however, Rozner vaulted in front for good on the 16th green.
Following the tournament, Robin Petersson and Charlie Danielson (Illinois), were named recipients of the Michael Carter Award which is presented to the Arnold Palmer Cup participants who best represent the qualities and ideals of sportsmanship, integrity and upholding of the game.
The Arnold Palmer Cup was established in 1997 and originally featured the top eight collegiate golfers from the United States against Great Britain and Ireland. Following the 2002 tournament, the American opponent was expanded to include all European players, while roster size for both sides was increased to 10 competitors in 2013.
Since its launch, over 90 former Arnold Palmer Cup participants have gone on to earn cards on either the PGA or European Tours. In addition, over 40 alumni from the matches have claimed more than 160 victories on the PGA or European Tours, including U.S. Open champions Graeme McDowell, Lucas Glover and Webb Simpson, as well as British Open champion Ben Curtis.
According to the event's website, the Arnold Palmer Cup will expand to include United States men's and women's teams against collegiate golfers from around the world in 2018.
Mendoza, who tied for 26th on the individual leaderboard last month at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., was just the second Aztec player to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup after Aaron Goldberg in 2008.
San Diego State wrapped up another successful season in May, earning a berth in the NCAA Championships for the fourth time in the last six years.