Pepperdine University
Alister MacKenzie Invitational
Big Finish Lifts Waves to Fifth Place at MacKenzie Invitational
10/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
FAIRFAX, Calif. - The Pepperdine men's golf team turned in the best third-round score of any of the 16 schools at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational on Tuesday, lifting the Waves to a fifth-place finish.
The Waves' 1-over 285 was three strokes better than anyone else today. Pepperdine finished with a 1-over 853 (283-285-285) at the par-71 Meadow Club. The Waves made a big climb over the two days, going from 13th after the first round to a tie for 10th after two rounds to their final result, which is their best placement of the young season.
The Waves also picked up sizeable victories over three West Coast Conference rivals. BYU (+13) was ninth, San Francisco (+16) was 10th and Saint Mary's (+20) was 12th.
"The guys played great in some very bad weather today," Pepperdine Coach Michael Beard said. "It was a team effort. I'm proud of how hard they played all the way to the end."
Sophomore Robin Kang (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif./South Torrance HS) shot a 2-under 69 - tied for the best round by any player in the field today -- while senior Kevin DeHuff (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic HS) had an even-par 71 and junior David Pelekoudas (Irvine, Calif./University HS/Orange Coast College) had a 1-over 72 to lead the Waves during the third round.
Senior Frederick Wedel (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands HS) had the Waves' best finish, a tie for 15th place with an even-par 213 (70-70-73). He had an eagle on the par-5 15th hole today.
DeHuff also turned in a solid finish with a tie for 20th place after a 1-over 214 (71-72-71). His final round included two birdies and two bogeys.
Pelekoudas moved up 19 spots in the final standings and into a tie for 30th place with a total of 217 (72-73-72). He had two birdies during the third round. His 54-hole score of 4-over is his best at Pepperdine.
No one in the field made a bigger move than Kang, who jumped 34 spots as he improved his score from the second round to the third by nine shots. He finished in a tie for 35th place at 218 (71-78-69). Kang birdied three of his final five holes and had four on the day. The 2-under set a personal collegiate best.
Freshman Anthony Cecere (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif./St. Margaret's Episcopal School) finished in a tie for 44th at 220 (71-70-79).
The Waves will be back in action next week at Cal State Northridge's Bill Cullum Invitational, which takes place October 20-21 at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, Calif.
Team Standings: 1. California 279-272-288=839; 2. Arizona State 271-278-292=841; 3. Oregon State 274-278-292=844; 4. UC Davis 275-283-291=849; 5. Pepperdine 283-285-285=853; 6. San Diego State 273-284-297=854; 7. Colorado 277-282-296=855; 8. Minnesota 280-286-294=860; 9. BYU 277-286-302=865; 10. San Francisco 273-295-300=868; 11. Washington State 279-288-303=870; 12. Saint Mary's 276-301-295=872; 13. Michigan 285-289-299=873; 14. Princeton 285-299-299=883; 15. San Jose State 284-294-307=885; 16. Hawaii 281-300-307=888.
Top Individuals: 1. Max Rottluff (Arizona State) 68-66-70=204; 2. Tyler Collier (Oregon State) 69-66-71=206; 3. Sebastian Crampton (California) 68-66-73=207; T4. Jonathan De Los Reyes (Saint Mary's) 63-77-69=209; T4. Riccardo Michelini (San Diego State) 68-68-73=209.
Pepperdine Scores: T15. Frederick Wedel 70-70-73=213; T20. Kevin DeHuff 71-72-71=214; T30. David Pelekoudas 72-73-72=217; T35. Robin Kang 71-78-69=218; T44. Anthony Cecere 71-70-79=220.
