The DU men’s golf team couldn’t overcome a poor opening round at the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., finishing in 13th place this past weekend.
The Pioneers finished the 54 hole event at 38 over par, 28 shots out of first place. Sophomore Jeff Koprivetz led the way for the Pioneers finishing in a tie for 38th at 9-over par 225.
After struggling through a first round in which only Junior Scott Tashie shot within two strokes of par, the Pioneers steadied their play in the second round.
With all five players in DU’s lineup shooting 75 or better, the team shot a second round score of 292, their best of the weekend and of the season.
The momentum gained from the second round quickly faded though, as the Pioneers slipped back in round three with a 14-over par 302.
With the exception of freshman Dan Wax’s even par 72, no Pioneer shot better than a five-over par 77 in the final round.
The poor final round gave the Pioneers little chance to make any charge at second round leader and eventual tournament winner the University of New Mexico Lobos. New Mexico finished off their wire to wire win with a strong final round of three-over par 291.
The Lobos also took home the individual medalist prize, as New Mexico senior Charlie Beljan clinched the title with a one stroke victory over UNLV’s Jarrod Texter at six-under par.
But, as one Charlie prospered, another faltered. DU senior Charlie Soule struggled to his second worst individual finish in over a year, finishing in a tie for 48th.
Soule, who has only finished out of the top 25 once in the last year, finished the tournament at 10-over par, despite shooting the Pioneers’ only sub par round of the weekend, a two under 70 in the second round.
However, Soule was one of three Pioneers to finish respectably in the top half of the tournament’s individual field. Joining Soule was Koprivetz and Tashie.
Tashie finished in a tie for 54th at 11-over par.
Rounding out the DU lineup was Wax and Junior Erich Martin who both finished in a tie for 72nd with a three day total of 230 (14-over par).
This marks the Pioneers’ second time in as many tries that they have failed to break into the top 10 this year.
The Pioneers are next in action at the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, Nev., beginning Monday, October 2nd.