Results (PDF)

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- The Cal State East Bay men's golf team opened the 2018-19 season in impressive fashion this week at the annual Western Washington Invitational at Bellingham Golf & Country Club. The Pioneers shot 277 (-11) on Tuesday, the lowest round of any team in the field all week, to finish tied for third place out of 20 teams overall. 

After a solid showing Monday with rounds of 291 (+3) and 302 (+14), East Bay moved up six spots in the standings during Tuesday's third round to finish the 54-hole event at 870 (+6). They ended up even with British Columbia, up nine strokes behind the host Vikings, who won team title, and seven strokes behind conference rival Chico State. 

The Pioneers bested the 16 other teams in the field, which included four fellow CCAA squads. All four golfers who contributed to CSUEB's team score on Tuesday carded under-par rounds to notch the 277 total, which is nine strokes better than any round the team shot last year, and suggests this 2018-19 East Bay squad has the ability to compete with any team in the nation.

Newcomer Joey Herrera led the way with an outstanding showing in his Pioneer debut. The junior from Ventura College was one of just six golfers in the field of 104 to finish under par for the week, notching a share of fifth place. He carded 72 (E) and 73 (+1) on Monday at the par-72 course, then fired a 69 (-3) in the final round to finish at 214 (-2). Herrera was seven strokes behind the individual champion, Josh McCollum of Chico State. 

Senior Declan Illingsworth also notched a top-10 finish, earning a share of ninth place. The native of Liverpool, England shot back-to-back rounds of 74 (+2) on Monday before matching Herrera's 69 (-3) on Tuesday morning to finish with a total of 217 (+1). 

Fellow senior Will Barnett made it three 69s for the Pioneers as the left-hander went three under par on Tuesday as well. Barnett opened the tournament Monday with a 73 (+1) in the first round, but stumbled with a 79 (+6) in round two, giving him a three-round total of 221 (+5) and a share of 21st place. 

Junior Max Murai notched a solid performance to earn a share of 53rd place a 226 (+10). He was outstanding in the opening round with an even-par 72 to aid East Bay's team score, then followed that up with scores of 78 (+6) and 76 (+4). 

Senior Greg Smith had a tough first day with rounds of 81 (+9) and 77 (+5) on Monday, but he bounced back in a big way to close out the week. Smith was close to carding the team's fourth 69, but settled for a 70 (-2) on Tuesday to finish the tournament tied for 67th place at 228 (+12). 

The Pioneers will look to keep this momentum going next week when they travel to Daniels, West Virginia to take on some of the best teams in the country at the NCAA Championship Preview, taking place Oct. 1-2.