SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Men's Golf team wrapped up their final regular season tournament Tuesday afternoon. The Gauchos were in a battle for second place for most of the final round, but a few too many errors down the stretch bumped them to a fifth place finish. Three student-athletes, Nick Waldock, Jackson Turner and Dylan Ma all finished inside the top 10 of the event.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara had all 10 student-athletes compete at their own tournament this weekend. Five as a team and five as individuals. As a team the Gauchos shot a 290 (+2) in the first round. Nick Waldock and Ryan Gay each carded and even par, 72 while Dylan Ma and Jay Martinez shot a one-over, 73.

For the individual group, Jackson Turner nearly shot a bogey free round. After a one-under front nine the freshman recorded four birdies on the back and only bogeyed his final hole, the 18th.

The Gauchos lowered their score by three shots in round two of the tournament with a 287 (-1).  Dylan Ma led the way with a five under, 67 round. After a bogey on his opening hole the freshman recorded six birdies in the next 14 holes. Nick Waldock continued consistent play with another even par round. 

Matt Monheim led the way for the other five individuals with a one-under, 71 in the second round. He even recorded a three under back nine. Jackson Turner went on an 11 hole run of all pars before committing two bogeys and a birdie in a three hole span. He finished round two with a 73 (+1). After the completion of the first day, the Gauchos sat in a tie for second.

The Gauchos started out strong on the third and final round of the tournament. Waldock shot a bogey free 69 (-3) to move up eight positions in the standings and finish in a tie for sixth place. Jack Watters recorded his best round of the tournament with an even par, 72. The freshman was four under after his first five holes, even recording an eagle on the par-4 third hole. 

Zekun Fang recorded his best round of the tournament with a three-under, 69. After back to back bogeys to open the day, Fang went five under in the next seven holes. He holed out for eagle from 85 yards on the par 4 16th hole. Turner and Monheim each carded an even par round.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will prepare for The Big West Championships over the next few weeks before they head to La Quinta for postseason play.