The men’s golf team placed second in the Arizona Intercollegiate match that wrapped up Tuesday in Arizona. Senior Andrew Putnam won the tournament shooting 7-under 206 to take his second collegiate tournament win.
The Waves lost to San Diego State despite being tied after the first round and finished two strokes ahead of the University of Arizona B Squad and Pacific University who tied for third.
The first round of play was called and delayed until the following day due to darkness falling on the course. Play resumed on Tuesday with Putnam tied for the individual lead and Pepperdine tied with San Diego State with five other teams within one stroke of them nipping at the lead.
As Putnam took over and increased the lead in the third round he also played a huge role in helping the Waves place second overall finishing three strokes ahead of Stefan Cox an Arizona-B player. Had the roles been reversed the Waves would have fallen to fourth place.
Putnam was a two-time All-American in high school and last semester was a tri-medalist in the October William H. Tucker Intercollegiate. He’s competed in 41 career tournaments and the AI tournament marks his 19 top 10 result ranking fourth all time for Pepperdine.
“I felt pretty good going into the tournament Putnam said in a post-tournament press interview. I kept it in front of me and didn’t make any big mistakes. Winning here can only help toward the rest of the season. It’s a good way to start the spring.
The same weekend junior teammate Josh Anderson competed in the 2011 Farmer’s Insurance Open for a chance at joining the PGA. Although Anderson fell short of PGA qualifying he came directly to the AI tournament and placed ninth overall. Senior Austyn Karle also had a strong showing in the tournament tied at 31 with Anderson at the end of round two.
Along with Anderson’s victory at the Husky Invitational the Waves golfers have medaled in 60 percent of the events they have played in thus far. Currently ranked 37 in the nation the Waves have five more tournaments throughout the semester until the WCC championships in April.
The Waves next take part in the USC Intercollegiate in Westlake Feb. 28 through March 1.
