Chambers Bay, a course superb enough to claim home to the PGA’s U.S. Open in 2015, featured a final day of Bruin low scores and UCLA men’s golf’s first tournament title of the season – adding sports significance to the business and real estate adage: “Location. Location. Location.”
“(Chambers Bay) was one of the reasons why we played in the tournament. We knew it would be a tough competition and we would have to play our best,” said sophomore Jonathan Garrick.
In securing its first tournament win of the season on Tuesday, UCLA won the Redhawk Invitational at Chambers Bay by three stokes over Pac-12 rival Washington.
The two-day tournament format consisted of a 36-hole first day and an 18-hole final day, none of which ever saw the Bruins trailing. After the 36-hole marathon during day one, the Bruins were tied for first with the University of San Diego at 556 (-4).
“The course is very tough, and to be competing for 12 hours, 36 holes, on the first day is probably the most grueling day I’ve had in competitive golf,” Garrick said.
The fitting name for this “grueling” marathon of golf: shotgun.
“Shotgun start: you finish the first round and then begin the second, playing for 12 hours until you’re done, (and by that time) our legs were tired – no other options though. The adrenaline took over and we got better,” Garrick said.
A solid first day put the Bruins in a place to capture their first tournament victory with only 18 holes left to play.
“The first time all year we’ve had the lead into the last round, and we all rose to the occasion,” Garrick said.
Garrick and sophomore Jake Knapp, who finished fourth for individual score, would not relent and give up that lead, shooting both their tournament bests at 69 (-2).
Junior Preston Valder rose to the occasion as well, shooting the Bruins’ individual low, good enough for third place with a three-round total at 206 (-5).
On a course suitable for the top PGA players in the world, the Bruins proved they, too, can perform on the top stages.
“Hopefully, a few of us will be playing in the U.S. Open next year,” Garrick said.