March 9, 2013

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The #2-ranked UCLA Men's Golf Team experienced a wide range of emotion on Friday, as two teams of five players each competed in separate tournaments to start the weekend.

The more senior squad, competing at the Southern Highlands Masters in Las Vegas, NV, had to endure some rain delay before finally hitting the course. The ensuing play was cold and damp, but the Bruins toughed out the conditions to finish their first day in a tie with top-10 squad New Mexico for third. The UCLA team of five shot 291 (+3) as a team through 18 holes, finishing behind only Stanford, #1 California, and #6 Alabama. That particular group was lead by Anton Arboleda on the day, as the junior shot a 71 (-1) to tie for 7th atop the individual leaderboard. Directly behind Arboleda came senior Pedro Figueiredo, as the Portuguese native shot 72 (E) to begin his tourney in a tie for 12th overall. Sophomore Manav Shah scored 73 (+1), and senior Pontus Widegren carded a 75 (+3). Freshman Jonathan Garrick filled out the scoreboard for the Bruins, recording a 77 (+5).

Surprisingly enough, the Bruins in Oregon dodged the rain as play got underway early at the Bandon Dunes Championship. The young squad finished in a respectable tie for 7th after the first 18 holes, shooting 300 (+12) at the Old Macdonald Course of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Freshman Lorens Chan led the charge for UCLA, shooting 71 (-1) over his first 18 to finish in a tie for third overall with Jonathan Woo of Oregon and Tyler Raber of UC Davis. Freshman Reilly McMahon and sophomore Matt Pinizzotto followed behind, each carding a 75 (+3) to finish tied for 34th individually. Sophomore Jay Hwang notched a 79 (+7) and sophomore Preston Valder carded an 82 (+10).

Both Bruin teams are back in action today, as they engage in their respective second rounds. You can follow the action for each tournament here.