The Biola men’s golf team recovered from a slow start to finish fifth out of eight teams at the Holy Names Fall Invitational. The tournament was held at Chuck Corica Golf Complex in Alameda, Calif. on Oct. 4 and 5.
Sophomore Kenny Gibo led the Eagles with a final score of 219 and shot six-over-par for the tournament, placing fourteenth overall. The team played amidst their most competitive opponents this season. They struggled in the first round with a team score of 299, but picked up their game as the tournament progressed. Freshman Joseph Conway had a solid first round score of 73 and helped to pace the team through that stretch. The Eagles bounced back in the second round, where they recorded a team score of 291, the best single round for Biola this season. They ended the third round with a median of 294.
The weather was satisfactory in contrast to the record-breaking heat they faced in last week’s tournament. The tournament was played in the early morning, so heat was not a significant factor. Their was strong winds for a stretch of several hours, but the team refused to make an excuse for their sluggish start.
“I don’t think any of the guys would say it affected us that much.” Gibo said about the wind causing Biola’s slow start, “I mean it’s golf, everyone has their off days.” He added that the team’s poor putting didn’t help. In the three rounds of the tournament, Gibo’s scores were 74, 75, and 70.
Sophomore Joshua Mathis, who made history last week by being the first Eagle to win the Lampkin Grip Invitational, was not far behind with a nine-over-par 222 (77-69-76). Senior John Graham scored a 224 (79-72-73), and sophomore Connor Penfold had a 225, carding a 75 for each round. Finally, there was Conway, who had a 233.
The Master’s College won the tournament and will be the host for next month’s Fall Invitational. They are one of Biola’s toughest opponents, and took top-team honors with a three-over par 855, including an impressive 277 in the final round.
A second place finish last week and fifth place finish this week, despite an insufficient first round in a more competitive tournament, shows the potential and focus of this team. This was only the third tournament of the season, so there are many more opportunities for the Eagles to make improvements.
“Definitely. We’re definitely a lot better than last year.” Mathis said when asked if he can see growth from last year, “Last year, we didn’t even break 300 in any of the rounds at this tournament, and this year we did it in all of the rounds.”
The team has a little less than a month to prepare for The Master’s College Fall Invitational, which will be held on Nov. 1 and 2 at Robinson Ranch GC in Santa Clarita.
