March 12, 2010

Complete 36-Hole Results in PDF Format

BANDON, Ore. - Gonzaga University's men's golf team finished third in the rain-shortened Bandon Dunes Championship Friday, the Bulldogs finishing with a 36-hole total of 639.

The University of Notre Dame captured the tourney with a 622 for a 12-shot victory over runner-up University of Idaho at 634.

Doug Fortner of Notre Dame captured medalist honors with round of 77-73 for a 150 in extreme weather conditions over the Pacific Dunes Golf and Country Club Course that played 6,536 yards to par 71.

But the weather caused the course to play considerably longer. Winds gusting to 50 mph and rain Monday impacted scores, and another 1½ inches of rain fell Tuesday from 4 a.m.-noon, causing the tournament to be shortened to 36 holes. Monday's second round was called by darkness with all but two teams still on the course.

Gonzaga's Derek Cheney and Jason Azzarito battled back from opening-rounds of 82 and 81, respectively, to shoot 74 and 75 to finish tied for fifth at 156 with John Baranco of Boise State University who shot 80-76. The Bulldogs Kevin PArkhurst shot 83-79 for 162 for 16th.

Despite the less-than-desirable conditions, Gonzaga head coach Robert Gray saw some positives from his squad, which had struggled through the first two tournaments this spring.

"It looks like we're getting back on track after our tough start this spring. The guys kept their heads up the whole time and grinded out each shot. That's what we need to do every time we compete. The team played with the attitude we've been looking for and we ended up with the second-lowest final round in extremely difficult conditions and a third-place finish, our best of the year. Now we have a break before we head to Phoenix for our next event so we'll continue to build on what we've accomplished this week," Gray said.

The next competition for the Bulldogs will be the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz., April 5-6.