Sept. 9, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO - The Cal men's golf program has high hopes for the 2008-09 season for many reasons. In addition to five of the squad's top six golfers returning and the arrival of a talented transfer, the Golden Bears are also welcoming back senior Michael Jensen, who redshirted the 2007-08 season. In the first meet of the campaign, Jensen reinforced those hopes, firing a three-round 213 to share top medalist honors and lead the Bears to an eight-stroke team title at the San Francisco Intercollegiate on Tuesday at the Olympic Club.
Cal won the event with a final score of 861 (+9), eight strokes ahead of runner-up Colorado (869, +17). UAV took third place with an 873 (+21) with Xavier (876, +24) in fourth place. Oregon State and San Diego tied for fifth place at 877 (+25).
"It's always nice to come out with a win, especially early in the season," Cal head coach Steve Desimone said. "I wasn't overly pleased with the final round, but we played really well when we needed to, especially over the last five or six holes. Give Colorado credit, they're a good team and played well today."
Jensen, a two-time all-conference selection in 2005-06, fired consistent rounds of 71-70-72 to match Colorado's Derek Tolan for the title. Jensen's previous best finish was fifth at the Western Intercollegiate on March 19, 2007.
"Michael used his redshirt year well; he's worked real hard," Desimone said. "He had a good summer, including winning the Alameda Commuters, one of the better amateur events in the area. His short game has really improved and that put him in position to win. He's also worked on being more positive on the golf course. You put those together with his ball-striking, it makes for a good golfer. It's starting to come together, for him and for our team."
Senior George Gandranata had a strong tourney as well, finishing in seventh place with a 215 (+2). John Murphy, a transfer from Old Dominion University, also made quite a splash in his Golden Bear debut, connecting on a team-high 11 birdies and notching a 216 (+3) to tie for 10th place overall.
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"John's been a great addition," Desimone said. "He really played a solid round today and we needed all of them. He's proven himself to be a good player the last couple of years and he showed it today for us. It's nice to have him around."
Sophomore Stephen Hale logged a 218 (+5) to tie for 16th place in the event. Hale now has nine top 25 finishes in 14 career collegiate tournaments. Sophomore Eric Mina rounded out the Bear lineup with a 221 (+8), tied for 27th place. Mina had 10 birdies, joining Jensen and Gandranata for second on the team.
Junior Evan Derian, playing as an individual, was one of six players to break 70 in the event, shooting a final round 69 to climb to 27th place overall at 221 (+8).
Cal returns to action Sept. 20-21 at the Wolverine Intercollegiate in Ann Arbor, Mich.
CALIFORNIA SCORING
San Francisco Intercollegiate (Hosted by San Francisco)
Olympic Club (Par 71)
San Francisco, Calif.
Team Place: 1st (of 14 teams)
Score: 287-281-293 - 861 (+9)
Individuals:
T1. Michael Jensen: 71-70-72 - 213 (E)
T7. George Gandranata: 71-70-74 - 215 (+2)
T10. John Murphy: 73-71-72 - 216 (+3)
T16. Stephen Hale: 72-70-76 - 218 (+5)
T27. Eric Mina: 74-72-75 - 221 (+8)
T27. Evan Derian: 77-75-69 - 221 (+8) - competing as individual
Team Standings:
1. California: 287-281-293 - 861 (+9)
2. Colorado: 294-289-286 - 869 (+17)
3. UAB: 288-291-294 - 873 (+21)
4. Xavier: 293-289-294 - 876 (+24)
T5. Oregon State: 298-294-285 - 877 (+25)
T5. San Diego: 296-288-293 - 877 (+25)
7. Nevada: 294-299-285 - 878 (+26)
8. San Francisco (B): 291-297-294 - 882 (+30)
9. Wisconsin: 302-295-286 - 883 (+31)
10. Notre Dame: 298-299-292 - 889 (+37)
11. San Francisco: 302-295-294 - 891 (+39)
12. Santa Clara: 302-300-298 - 900 (+48)
13. St. Mary's: 296-298-308 - 902 (+50)
14. Rice: 303-304-301 - 908 (+56)
15. Hartford: 301-306-305 - 912 (+60)
