Burlington, Washington (Dan Kinvig) – The University of the Fraser Valley men’s golf team continued its dominance of the Skagit Valley Cardinals Invitational, rolling to a massive 47-stroke victory on Monday.
The Cascades were firing on all cylinders on their way to a fourth consecutive men’s team title at Skagit Valley College’s annual event, held at Avalon Golf Links in Burlington, Wash.
Four UFV golfers finished in the top five individually, with Daniel Campbell outlasting teammate Ben Whiton in a playoff to earn medalist honours. Campbell and Whiton had carded matching rounds of 71 on Sunday and 74 on Monday to finish at one over par through 36 holes, one stroke better than fellow Cascade Kyle Claggett (+2). Skagit Valley’s Jonny Larson (+3) was fourth, and UFV’s Zach Olson (+6) was fifth.
Halen Davis (+14, T-10th) and Wyatt Brook (+23, T-18th) rounded out the Cascades’ team competitors in the six-count-four scoring format. Jacob Lucki, competing as an individual, had a strong showing, finishing T-7th at +13.
The Cascades’ team score of +10 allowed them to cruise past Skagit Valley (+57) and Bellevue (+64) in the five-team field.
“Great to see the guys take another step forward as we gear up for nationals next month,” UFV head coach Chris Bertram said. “It was also nice to see Ben Whiton working his way into a playoff against Daniel. He played really solid golf this week.”
Campbell’s individual victory was his eighth as a Cascade – a program record that’s all the more impressive considering he’s in just his second season with UFV.
“Daniel just keeps doing Daniel things,” Bertram marveled. “He’s just so solid when he gets near the lead, and continues to amaze with his steadiness under pressure.”
UFV’s Emery Bardock competed as an individual on the women’s side, tying for fourth after carding rounds of 88 and 86 to finish at +30. Cascades recruit Sarah Lawrence won the women’s individual title – her score of +14 was good for a 10-stroke margin ahead of Avery Gill of Southwest Oregon.
The tournament was the final tune-up for UFV golfers prior to the Canadian University/College Championship (May 28-31, FireRock Golf Club, Komoka Ont.). The Cascades are the reigning men’s team champions, having earned a 17-stroke victory as hosts last year at Chilliwack Golf Club.
