Fears that UCLA golf’s Blue team had entered the first
slump of its already impressive season were quickly quenched
Tuesday, as it tallied impressive final-round scorecards in the
Braveheart Classic.
The Bruins crushed the rest of the field by 19 strokes in what
may have been the Blue team’s most decisive victory against
the toughest field this season.
It was an important finish for the Bruins, considering their
fifth-place showing in last weekend’s Cal State Bakersfield
Spring Invitational.
Last week’s loss was especially disappointing because it
broke the team’s three-tournament winning streak and
diminished some of the confidence the players had gained.
“It was frustrating because we were on such a good
roll,” said assistant coach Gus Montaño, who traveled
with the team and cited Monday’s conditions as the worst he
had ever seen during competitive play. “The conditions hit
… (and) it took a lot of skill out of the game. … It was just a
test of survival.”
Conditions could not stop the Bruins this week, however, as they
jumped to a second-place tie during Monday’s first round.
UCLA shot a 3-over par 291, putting the team two strokes behind
leader Loyola Marymount in a tight tournament that saw the top 10
teams separated by only nine shots.
The second round of the day was postponed to Tuesday because of
darkness, but this was no bother for the Bruins, who woke up early
to shoot a 2-under par 286, putting UCLA in first place.
Conditions worsened on the already tough course during the last
round, but UCLA’s shooting stayed consistent. The Bruins were
able to increase their lead as their competitors’ scores
began to falter.
The Bruins’ dominating team win was magnified by
individual efforts.
Junior Chris Heintz took first place for the first time in his
career, earning himself a position on the Gold team for the Las
Vegas Tournament later this week. Heintz shot 7-under par (69, 70,
70) for the win.
“It feels good because I feel that (the Gold team) is
where I should be,” Heintz said. “The good thing about
the way this team sets up with the Blue team is that you always
have an opportunity to play. … I had my opportunity and I
capitalized on it.”
Heintz was followed by freshman Lucas Lee, who came in second
overall.
UCLA coach O.D. Vincent stressed the significance of this win.
The Bruins’ confidence will undoubtedly receive a major boost
as they head to Las Vegas, where they will compete against the most
challenging field yet.
“The team is not only winning but making a statement
against … some of the toughest teams we’ve faced,”
Vincent said.
“The field in Vegas that we’re going to face is
probably the best we’re going to face until nationals,”
said Heintz, whose goal is to win the tournament.
“Now that I’ve had the experience of winning, I want
to do it again,” Heintz said. “It’s like a
disease ““ now that I’ve won, I want to keep
winning.”