COURTESY// SSU Athletics

Junior Thomas Jenkins Jr. rips a drive at the Cal State San Marcos Fujikara Invitational where he posted a 5-under-par-67 in the second round leading the way to a top-5 finish for the Seawolves.

The Sonoma State Men’s golf team traveled to Shadowridge C.C., in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 14 for the annual Cal State San Marcos Fujikura Invitational. The Seawolves were able to secure a fourth-place finish of the 15 teams that attended the event. The tournament included many teams from the CCAA conference, including Cal State Monterey Bay, Dominguez Hills, and San Marcos, the tournament’s winners. Strong outings from Junior Griffin Pace and Thomas Jenkins Jr. led the squad to a top-five finish. 

The Seawolves would rise a few ranks after the first day, finishing with a team-low 290 in their second round, led by Pace and Jenkins according to SSU athletics. Pace ended the first round with a strong 72-even-par and three birdies. Lucas Happy also concluded his opening 18 holes at 3-over-par, with a one-over performance on the backside. The former NCAA individual west region champion, Jenkins’ had a second-round score of 5-under-par-67, which was the field’s second-lowest of the tournament.

“I put myself in contention to win with one round to play, and that’s all you can ask from yourself every week.” Said Jenkins, “I wish I would’ve handled the elements a little better during the final round, and I might be looking at a first-place finish. I look forward to the next upcoming week and using this momentum to play better.” 

Jenkins feels the team is on the cusp of greatness and wants a little more out of himself and the team. “The team and I feel we could’ve played a bit better at Shadowridge,” said Jenkins, “…conditions in the final round weren’t exactly scoring weather, and it was tough to battle through some rain and wind.” 

Jenkins, Pace, and freshman Aidan Oliver all finished in the top 30. Oliver’s low round in the competition was a 2-over-par-74 in round one. Next week, the team will strive to keep their momentum going by traveling to Ruby Hills G. C. for their next tournament. 

The Sonoma State Men’s golf team has a history of success finishing top five in the CCAA, thirteen of the last fourteen years behind Coach Val Verhunce. Verhunce has also guided the men’s golf team to eight consecutive NCAA Tournament births, the most recent of which was in the Spring of 2021, when the Seawolves men’s and women’s golf programs were awarded spring competition clearance.

These next few weeks are critical for the Seawolves and will continue to grow as a team to climb the rankings. The Seawolves can’t help but be happy with this strong start to the year. 

The Sonoma State Men’s golf team will travel to Hayward, California, on Feb. 20 to participate in Ruby Hills Golf Club’s Pioneer Shootout, where they will take on the East Bay Pioneers.