Sept. 15, 2007
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - The San Diego State men's golf team shot a final-round score of 1-over 289 on Saturday to place second at the season-opening William H. Tucker Intercollegiate at the UNM Championship Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Aztecs (289-290-289=868) finished four strokes back of tournament champion Pepperdine who matched SDSU's 289 on the final day to card an even-par 864 for the 56-hole event.
The Aztecs were led by returning All-American senior Aaron Goldberg and freshman Johan Carlsson who carded a 3-under 69 and a 1-under 71, respectively, in the final round of competition to tie for fifth place. Both players climbed the leader board on the final day as Goldberg moved up seven spots and Carlsson three.
"This was a really good opening tournament for us," head coach Ryan Donovan said. "We received solid scores all three rounds with Aaron and Johan leading the way. This tournament was a really good building block for the rest of our season."
Goldberg, who shot under par in 10 of his 12 outings last season, and Carlsson finished the Intercollegiate with a three-round score of 214 (-2).
Freshman Matt Hoffenberg completed his first collegiate tournament in a tie for 19th place after firing a 75 in the final round to finish with a score of 221 (+5).
Rounding out the scoring for SDSU was junior David Palm, who tied for 26th with a 6-over 222, and senior Jamie Puterbaugh, who ended in a tie for 54th with a score of 228 (+12).
SDSU placed ahead of five Mountain West Conference opponents, with the closest conference rival being Utah in fifth place, which finished 13 strokes back at 17-over 881.
Taking home the tournament's individual medalist honors was Pepperdine's Jesse Barnsley who with a 12-under 204 over 56 holes finished eight strokes better then his nearest competition.
The Aztecs will next be in action on Oct. 1-2 at the Husky Invitational in Bremerton, Wash. The Invite is an early season opportunity for SDSU to play at the Meadow Club Golf Course, which will be where the 2008 NCAA Regionals take place.