A sloppy final round at the Ashcroft Collegiate Invitational left the Oregon men’s golf team in last place of
15 teams with a total score of 921 after the three-round event. Junior Justin St. Claire led the Ducks in the final round with a 1-over 72. However, his combined score of 228 left him in a tie for 52nd place with teammate Matt Ma, who only managed an 83 in the final round after solid first- and second- round scores of 73 and 72.
No. 23 Tennessee (852) took home the team title, but had to endure a late run made by No. 10 Brigham Young, which came up short of the Volunteers by two strokes. The Cougars finished with an 854 followed by host No. 8 Southern California (861), Georgia Southern (865), California (870) and Washington (878). The Ducks finished the tournament nine shots back of 14th-place finisher Washington State (912).
Oregon’s final-round score of 305 at the 6,742-yard, par-71 North Ranch Country Club came by way of the Ducks carding individual scores no less than 72. Sophomore Eric Hastings recorded an 82 to finish in a tie for 72nd. Freshmen Joey Benedetti and Derek Sipe finished 74th and 80th.
Aron Price (203) of Georgia Southern shot a final-round 1-under 72 to grab the individual title. He defeated Ross McGowan (208) of Tennessee.
The Ducks take the links March 21 when they host the Oregon Duck
Invitational in Eugene.