STOCKTON, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Golf team put together a solid second and third round to finish the highest they have in the fall segment of their season. The Gauchos finished eighth at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational with four players finishing inside the top 50.
 
FROM HEAD COACH CHRIS MASSOLETTI
"We had a little bit of everything this week, some really good and some bad, but what I'm most proud of was how everyone contributed this week," said Massoletti. "We had every player count towards the team score and had a few really solid final nine holes from guys who weren't playing great on their first nine to keep us competitive. Though it wasn't our best team play, it was a good show of fight and resilience from the team. Really proud of how they competed this week."
 
ROUND ONE
Following the opening round at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational the Gauchos sat in a tie for 11^th after shooting a 294 (+6). Freshman Zach Schwab led the way for the Blue and Gold shooting an even-par 72 and finishing with five birdies on the day. Jack Watters, Nick Waldock and Ryan Gay finished closely behind Schwab shooting a 73 (+1), 74 (+2) and 75 (+3) respectively. At the end of the first day UC Santa Barbara finished top 10 in par four and par five scoring.
 
ROUND TWO
UC Santa Barbara came out firing on day two led by senior Ryan Gay who shot a five-under 67 with three birdies and two eagles. Dylan Ma also finished the second round under par shooting a four-under 68. Ma carded six birdies in the round. Jack Watters finished the second round even par with three birdies, all coming on the front nine. Following the second round the Blue and Gold led the field in eagles with three while ranking top 10 in par three, four and five scoring while moving up to eighth in the team standings. Multiple Gauchos climbed up the individual rankings including Ryan Gay who moved up 19 spots and Dylan Ma moved up 33 spots.
 
ROUND THREE
The Gauchos finished the tournament eighth overall with four student-athletes ranked inside the top 50. Nick Waldock, Dylan Ma and Jack Watters moved up the leaderboard on the final day. Waldock led the way shooting a two-under 70 while Ma shot a one-under 71.
 
STAT RECAP

• The Gauchos finished the tournament seventh in par 3 scoring and sixth in par five scoring.
• UC Santa Barbara made the most eagles of any team in the field, recording five on the weekend.

 
UP NEXT
The Gauchos will wrap up their fall schedule at the Saint Mar's Invitational on Oct. 20.