Mens' Golf Team recently competed in Monterrey, Mexico at Rice University's Invitational. The team faced four nationally ranked mens' teams, along with international competition, Feb. 5-7. USF came in last among the 19 teams, while the University of California-Berkeley took first. The low score for USF was senior Carlo Ligotti with a three day total of 216, or even, on the par 72 Club Campestre Golf Course. Ligotti was twelve shots behind the winner of the tournament, Seth Thornton from North Texas University. Among the others who competed for the USF Team were junior Erik Pounds, and freshmen Fernando Gomez, Matt Larson, and Chad Thompson.
The men's golf team recently closed their season with two tournaments, the WCC Championships from April lst-2nd, and the United States Collegiate from April 6-7th. Team USF finished the WCC Championships 2nd overall after going into the final round with a 5-shot lead, and only lost by 2 shots to nationally-ranked Pepperdine. Another bonus for the team was individually, as four of the team's players finished in the top ten. Erik Halgrimson and Josh Levin finished tied for second at 147 strokes, five behind winner Michael Walton of Pepperdine. Matt Parlato finished tied for 8th with 150, and Ray Otis finished tied for 20th at 156. USF finished the United States Collegiate tied for 13th at 914 strokes. Erik Halgrimson tied for 39th at 226, Erik Pounds and Ray Otis tied for 76th at 232, Josh Levin tied for 85th at 234, Matt Parlato tied for 101st at 239, and Carlo Ligotti tied for 105th at 245. These tournaments closed a season head coach Dick Nicolopulos saw as "a tough year for the kids, (as they faced) the toughest competition they could." It was probably USF's hardest schedule ever. The year was earmarked for rebuilding extensively, starting two freshmen Ray Otis and Erik Halgrimson, in place of two seniors from last year's team. The year provided valuable long-term experience, which meets this season's goal, and to help get to the NCAA nationals in the future (TheFoghorn).
