SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — The No. 20 University of La Verne men's golf team started strong but faltered in later rounds to finish eighth overall at the Master's College Spring Invitational (par-72), held at Robinson Ranch Golf Club on March 1-3.
La Verne posted a team score of 906 (+42, 299-305-302) over three rounds.
Senior Kelby Scharmann led the way with a 7-over 220 (73-76-71) and finished tied for 11th.
Fellow senior Trent Twamley tied for 29th after scoring an 11-over 227 (76-75-76).
Michael Bonicatto was 15th after carding a 2-over 74 in the first round and kept up the solid play with a score of 4-over 76 in the second round, but had a tough go of it in the final round at 13-over 85. He finished 46th overall.
Alec Spencer finished 36th with a total score of 13-over 229 (76-78-75) while Justin Smith finished tied for 55th.
La Verne finished second among Division III competitors behind Cal Lutheran, who shot an 898 (+34, 300-304-294) to finish fifth.
UCLA (281-290-286=857) claimed the team title and the Bruins' Matt Pinizzotto earned medalist honors with a 5-under 211 (69-73-69).
The Leopards return to action March 13-15 at the 16th annual Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, hosted by No. 2 Oglethorpe in Jekyll Island, Ga. The tournament should serve as an excellent preview of the NCAA National Championships as the nation's top teams, including the top four teams in the latest Golf Coaches Association of America Coaches Poll, converge for the prestigious event.
