Friday, October 24, 2014
PORTLAND, Ore. - Simon Fraser’s John Mlikotic capitalized on his second round to tie for seventh at the Otter Invitational Monday and Tuesday, earning him GNAC Golfer of the Week honors.
Mlikotic shot a three-round score of 224, four strokes off a top three finish, finishing ahead of 90 other golfers at Bayonet Golf Course in Monterey, Calif.
The Simon Fraser senior shot rounds of 75, 73 and 76 in the tournament, leading all 10 GNAC scorers in his second top 10 finish of the year. His second round of 73 was tied for the sixth lowest score of the tournament.
As a team, Simon Fraser finished in sixth place out of 18 teams and third among Division II opponents. Its second round of the day, a 296, was tied for the fourth lowest one-round score in the tournament.
Bret Thompson tied with Mlikotic for the low round of the Clan, carding a 73 in the opening round as the team’s second finisher. Thompson finished two strokes back from the Clan’s leader, tying for 13th scoring 10-over par.
Nova Southeastern claimed the team title while placing two golfers in the top three, including individual winner Richard Mansell whose minus 1 was the only final score under par.
Western Washington was also competing in the event, landing two golfers in the top 15 while finishing eighth overall.
The Vikings Chris Hatch was only one stroke off the pace of Mlikotic, leading his team with a three-round score of 225 for an eleventh place finish.
Teammate Kyle Schrader finished strong for a score of 226, tying for 13th. This was the second highest place Schrader has finished this year.
The Clan is currently atop the GNAC with an average team score of 289 while the Vikings are second, averaging 289.8 per round.
In an effort to gain his golfers more playing time and experience, Simon Fraser coach John Buchanan split the squad on Monday and Tuesday to play in the Otter Invitational and the Vikes shootout in British Columbia.
The Clan’s Alan Tolusso finished tied for second in the 47-player event, his first top 10 performance of the year.
Tolusso finished with a two-round score of 146, three strokes behind winner Andrew Funk of Victoria.
Freshman Jordan Hutchings also finished with his first top 10 performance of the year, tying for sixth after shooting an opening round of 72.
Saint Martin’s sent five golfers to Victoria as well. The reigning GNAC Golfer of the Week Austin Spicer and teammate Matthew Hedges tied for the top finishes from the Saints, tying for ninth at six-over par.
The ninth-place finish was Hedges’ first in the top 10 this year while Spicer tied his highest finish of the year.
Both Saint Martin’s and Simon Fraser only played individuals in the event. The University of Manitoba was the team winner, finishing 25-over par.
The Clan and the Saints are now finished with their fall seasons. Western Washington and Northwest Nazarene will close out the GNAC 2014 season next Friday and Saturday at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.