Final Results (PDF)

CHICO, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's golf team finished in seventh place during the 54-hole stroke play tournament this week at 2018 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships, falling just short of advancing to the semifinal round.

After carding back-back-back rounds of 299 (+11) on Monday at Butte Creek Country Club, the Pioneers were in the middle of an extremely tight race to grab one of the top four spots and move on to medal play. They were even better in Tuesday's final round, shooting a team score of 298 (+10) to finish at 896 (+32) overall. 

Unfortunately, Cal State San Bernardino and Sonoma State went just a little lower, both finishing at 892 (+28) to join Chico State (+14) and Cal State Monterey Bay (+16) in the semifinals.

All five Pioneers in competition in Chico turned in solid overall performances, but the team didn't quite post enough low numbers to contend against a strong field that included three of the top 30 ranked teams in a nation.

Declan Illingsworth led the way as CSUEB's top individual and was the team's most consistent golfer, shooting rounds of 73 (+1), 77 (+5), and 74 (+2). The junior earned a share of 19th place in the overall field with a total of 224 (+8). 

Illingsworth was followed closely by fellow Englishman Greg Smith, who shot 81 (+9) in the first round, but bounced back in a big way with scores of 71 (-1) and 73 (+1) to close out the tournament tied for 22nd place at 225 (+9). Smith was the only Pioneer to post a round under par at the event. 

Junior Will Barnett was one stroke behind him, tied for 25th place at 226 (+10). The Aussie bookended the week by shooting 73 (+1) in the first and third rounds, but stumbled with an 80 (+8) Monday afternoon. 

Sophomore Max Murai was excellent on the first day of championships, mirroring Illingsworth with rounds of 77 (+4) and 73 (+1), but the left-hander ran into trouble on the back nine of the final round. He finished with an 80 (+8) to notch an overall score of 230 (+14) and take a share of 34th place. 

Junior Jonathan Mulvany, the only Pioneer remaining from the 2015-16 CCAA championship team, was two strokes behind Murai in 38th at 232 (+16). He opened with a 76 (+4), then carded two straight rounds of 78 (+6) to wrap up the week.

Hopefully golf season is not over yet, as CSUEB now awaits the announcement of the field for the 2017-18 NCAA Division II Regionals. Last week, the Pioneers occupied the 10th and final spot in the West Region rankings.