MURRIETA, Calif. – The No. 9 University of La Verne golf team earned a third-place finish amongst some of the top competition in the country at the West Cup on Monday and Tuesday, playing 54 holes in two days. The Leopards carded a three-round total of 913 as a team.

Senior Keven Holliday led the way for La Verne. The junior shot a total of 7-over 224 (73-74-77) to finish in third place overall nine strokes behind Bobby Holden (71-69-75=215) of Redlands, who took the individual title.

"Keven played very steady golf for us over the three days, which is exactly what you need at Bear Creek," La Verne head coach Chris Davis said. "He had the putter working, amassing ten birdies in three rounds on some tough greens."

Kelby Scharmann was La Verne's low scorer after the first two rounds, shooting 1-over 73 in each, but stumbled a little in the final round. The junior shot a 9-over 81 in round three, but still finished eighth overall individually.

"Aside from a couple of missteps on the way in, Kelby had a great tournament for us as well," Davis said.

Conditions were difficult in the second day, as the wind was up and the pins were in some tough spots. But the Leopards still managed to post the third-lowest team score in the final round, scoring a 308. Junior Trent Twamley led the Leopards in Tuesday's final round with a 3-over 75.

"Anything around 75 felt like even par [in the final round]," Davis said. "But as with most difficult courses and tough conditions, the best teams always rise to the top. We are happy to be among them and hope to make some more crucial steps in elevating our games to the championship level."

Twamley finished with a total of 234 (82-77-75). Michael Bonicatto also carded a 234 (80-76-78) to round out the scoring for La Verne.

Several Leopards competed as individuals and posted excellent scores. Paul Gomez finished tied for eighth with a total of 227 (75-74-78) and Alec Spencer finished 17^th (77-80-74=231).

No. 1 Redlands (297-294-313=904) won the team title and No. 13 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (297-307-308=912) finished one stroke ahead of La Verne to take second.

The Leopards return to the links on April 5-6 for SCIAC No. 2 held at the Empire Lakes Golf Course in Rancho Cucamonga.