Rohnert Park, Calif. - On Monday, May 17th, the Sonoma State men's golf team headed to Palm Beach, Florida to compete in the NCAA Division II National Championships. They would tee off Monday morning for three rounds of competition to have a chance to advance to the medal match stage of the championship. Out of the 16 participating teams, only 8 would advance to the medal match stage. The National Championships were being played at The Champion Course at the PGA National Resort and Spa. The course was in immaculate condition but the weather played a factor all week for the participating teams. "We were prepared for the weather. It definitely does not make the game any easier but we battled it at the west regionals in Washington and we'll have to battle it again this week" (Verhunce, HC).

"The course itself was absolutely beautiful. The conditions were pretty tough with wind blowing 20-30 mph all week. Holes 15-18 are famously known as "The Bear Trap" with lots of water surrounding them as well. You have to play a different game than just stepping up and hitting the ball. You have to flight and manufacture shots that will play in those kinds of conditions" (Otto, SA).  

After round one, the Seawolves saw themselves in a tie for 7th place out of the 16 teams. The team would record a 306 (+18) on the day with Griffin Pace, Devin Gregg, and Thomas Jenkins Jr. all recording rounds of 4-over or better. Jenkins

was yet again the low shooter on the day for SSU as he recorded a first round 74 (+2). Senior Devin Gregg was right behind him with a 75 (+3) performance. Jenkins and Gregg would total four birdies between the two of them to help keep the Seawolves in the mix after round one. "The front nine played a lot easier than the back nine. You could score on the front and then you had to survive on the back nine. They don't call it the "bear trap" for nothing. With 30-40 mph winds it made it some of the hardest golf I have ever played and it really showed" (Gregg, SA). Fellow senior, Dylan Otto, would also contribute on the backside for SSU. Despite shooting a +8 in his first nine holes, Otto bounced back nicely to shoot just 1-over par on the back including a birdie and seven pars. "We knew we did not play our best round that day but were focused and determined to get after it in round two" (Otto, SA). 

Conditions proved to be a factory yet again on the second day of the NCAA National Championship. The Seawolves would drop 20 strokes on the day and fall to 12th place. With the majority of the field struggling to battle the course

and the conditions, SSU was not out of it yet. The Bear Trap lived up to it's name on Tuesday as Pace, Gregg, Jenkins and Otto only recorded three par's combined in that stretch to finish the round. However, freshman Nick Friedman would help carry the team especially on the back nine as he was the low shooter of the day at 79 (+7). If it weren't for a quadruple bogey on the par 3 15th, Friedman would have recorded a near perfect back nine as he would par the other eight holes to close out his round. "The team will need to show their true character and determination with their backs against the walls. It's a play well or go home situation tomorrow and the guys are getting geared up to do just that" (Frazetta, AC).

With a hill to climb and some big performances needed from all five players, the Seawolves got just that as they played their best nine holes of golf all week to start Wednesday's final round. Three of the five golfers were even par or better. Thomas Jenkins Jr. would par each of his first nine holes to remain at even par heading to the back. With a couple of

birdies, Devin Gregg would head to the back side at 2-under and Griffin Pace would follow with two birdies and a bogey to head to the back nine at 1-under. The final nine holes have proved to be the most pivotal for all of the competing teams and they would once again decide the fate of the SSU men's golf team. Despite a stellar front nine, triple and double bogeys would fill the score cards and the Seawolves were only able to move up one spot in the standings as they would finish alone in 11th place out of the 16 teams. "The team had it's best start of the week and put themselves in a good position for the back nine. Unfortunately with the winds still gusting at 30 mph our last four holes did us in" said men's golf head coach Val Verhunce. "The Bear Trap lived up to its name and took us out of the event. I am super proud of the team and what they accomplished this season. They overcame obstacle after obstacle and to be able to find ourselves competing for a national championship at the end of it all is pretty special".       

"The team gave a great effort to give ourselves a chance to make it to the medal match with the bear trap to go. Unfortunately we didn't hit the shots we needed during that stretch however, we left everything out on the course" said assistant coach Eric Frazetta. "We were very fortunate to even be able to play this year and to have so much success this season is a testimony to how close this team is". "Being able to play in a national championship with this group of guys is something I'll never forget. This team works harder than any other team I know. These are my best friends and competing as a team in Florida was the most fun I've ever had on the golf course" (Pace, SA). Senior Devin Gregg and sophomore Griffin Pace would finish the week as SSU's low scorers as both finished t-28th individually in the field. 

With the end of the shortened spring season, we also want to recognize and thank our tremendous men's golf seniors who competed in their final collegiate tournament. Casey Hughes was a part of the final group of SSU golfers that competed in the West Regional tournament and the National Championship. As a walk on transfer from Santa Rosa

Junior College, Hughes competed in the Nighthawks Invitational and the SSU Spring Invite this spring season. Hughes would shoot a season low 147 (+3) in the teams home event and was able to earn himself a spot in the group of six golfers who would travel to the Regional and National Championship. "Being on this golf team were some of the greatest two years of my life. Making the team as a walk-on made it even sweeter. This group of guys became some of my best friends and we made great memories in winning and losing together. I'd like to thank my family and friends for encouraging me to be my best and succeed in my game and my academics. I'd also like to thank coach Val for giving me this opportunity to be on the squad, it has been amazing and I will always be a Seawolf for life" (Hughes, SA)!     

Dylan Otto was a transfer from Reedley College as he joined the men's golf program here at Sonoma State for the 2019-20 season. Otto was a staple for the program these last two years and was one of the team's most consistent golfers during their spring season. In the teams last event of the spring regular season, Otto finished t-2nd in the SSU Spring Invite shooting 140 (-4) to help the team to a second place finish. "I'm thankful for my coaches and both groups of student-athletes on the men's and women's teams. I'm grateful for competing with the guys on the team because they were a good group of guys and we were all very talented. To compete one last time in the National Championship is something I will never forget" (Otto, SA).  

Devin Gregg became a household name in the SSU men's golf program as Gregg joined the program as a true freshman all the way back in 2016. Gregg grew and developed to become one of the program's great golfers in it's deep and successful history. Gregg had yet another solid spring season during the Seawolves four regular season competitions. In the Pioneer Shootout, Gregg finished t-3rd at even par for the tournament helping the team to a tournament title as well. Gregg would record his best finish in the Academy of Art Invitational where he and teammate Thomas Jenkins Jr. would finish in a tie for first. Gregg was a tremendous leader for the Seawolves squad this year and he will certainly be missed. "This being my last tournament, I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me along the way. I couldn't have done it without them and I really appreciate all the support over the years. I want to thank all of the coaches I've had at Sonoma State, Val, Eric, Gary, Dr. Joe, Etc... without them I wouldn't be the player I am today. Ending my college career at nationals with my teammates, coaches, and all of my family who came to support me was very special and I will forever cherish those moments" (Gregg, SA). 

Congratulations once again to the Sonoma State men's golf team on a terrific spring season, an amazing National Championship run, and for proudly representing Sonoma State University. Go Seawolves! #NomaNation