University Star

The Texas State men’s golf team finished in fourth place Tuesday at the Herb Wimberley Intercollegiate. The Bobcats scored a three round total of 853, the lowest in school history for a tournament.  

The Bobcats have experienced success at the Wimberley Intercollegiate before. The former three round record was 856, which was accomplished in 2009 at same event. Last year, they had a final round of 281, the third lowest score in program history at the time.  

A second round of 281 was shot Monday by the Bobcats. The three under par performance positioned them in third place, two strokes behind team leader Wichita State University.  

“It was a good week for us,” said Coach Shane Howell. “We wanted to work hard and turn our season around going into winter break. We placed ourselves in a great position to win.”

The team concluded Monday evening one under par through 36 holes of play and a 567 cumulative score. This score marked the best start for the Bobcats all season.

Prior experience at the Herb Wimberley Intercollegiate benefited the Bobcats in their highest finish of the year.

“Four of our five guys have been to the Herb Wimberley,” Howell said. “The guys know and feel comfortable with the course.”

Junior Juan Diego Plasencia and sophomore Juan Carlos Benitez both finished in the top 15 after two rounds of play. Plasencia’s first two rounds were under par, accounting for a total of 139 and a three under par first day. Plasencia was tied for third, three shots behind the leader. Benitez finished even through two rounds.

On the final day, Plasencia finished with a total score of 210, tying him for the third lowest 54 hole total by a player in program history. Plasencia’s final round concluded even to par and placed him sixth overall at three under par.

“It was a great way to finish our last tournament,” Plasencia said. “ I was proud of our team effort.”

Chris Gilbert of Kansas University and Blake Biddle of University of Nevada-Las Vegas shared individual leader honors. Both players shot identical rounds throughout the Herb Wimberley Intercollegiate marking 68, 68 and 69 for a total score of 205 for eight under par.

The Texas State Bobcats shot a 286, 281 and 286 for a final score of 853. Wichita State’s level of play amplified as the tournament unfolded, shooting a 283, 282 and 276 for a total of 841. Second place went to UNLV with a total of 850 and University of Texas-El Paso, marking an 851, was awarded third.

The Texas State men’s golf team will now enter its winter break. Competition will resume Feb. 11 at UTSA, the second tournament of the year in San Antonio.