Highsmith, Waves Finish Strong at Southern Highlands

Tuesday, March 1

Las Vegas, Nev.

Pepperdine University

Southern Highlands Collegiate

Joe Highsmith

Photo by: Jeff Golden

3/1/2022 5:58:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

By: by Athletic Communications

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Pepperdine men's golf team and Joe Highsmith turned in the best rounds of the day at the Southern Highlands Collegiate on Tuesday, helping the Waves to a second-place team finish and Highsmith to a tie for second individually.

The Waves had a three-day total of a 31-under 833 (273-287-273) at the par-72 Southern Highlands Golf Club. Pepperdine caught up with Oklahoma on the leaderboard briefly at one point, but the #1 Sooners went on to win by seven. Pepperdine's 15-under was three shots better than Oklahoma on the day. The Waves passed Texas in the final standings and beat the Longhorns by two.

The prestigious event featured nine teams in Golfstat's top 35, including the #5 Waves. This was Pepperdine's best-ever finish at the Southern Highlands Collegiate in its fifth appearance.

PLAYER SCORES

Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) tied for second place with an 11-under 205 (68-72-65). He began the day tied for 17th but moved up thanks to his 7-under 65. He was flawless on the day, with an eagle on the par-5 third hole plus five birdies. He birdied three of the final four holes. For the tournament, Highsmith played the par-5s at 10-under, best in the field. With his 56th career below-par round today, Highsmith passed head coach Michael Beard on Pepperdine's all-time list and now stands alone in fifth place.
Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) tied for 10th with an 8-under 208 (67-74-67). His second 5-under 67 of the tournament saw him post a remarkable seven birdies on the front nine. He finished with nine on the day. Hitchner had 17 birdies for the tournament, second-most in the field.
Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) tied for 21st with a 4-under 212 (70-72-70). He posted five birdies today.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for 32nd with a 1-under 215 (75-69-71). His round today included six birdies, five coming on the front nine. Mouw had 16 birdies for the tournament.
Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) tied for 44th at 217 (68-78-71). He birdied four of the first six holes and had six on the day.
Playing as an individual, freshman Ian Maspat (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) tied for 62nd at 221 (67-77-77). He had four birdies in the final round.

UP NEXT

Pepperdine's next tournament is the NIT hosted by Arizona on March 18-19.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Oklahoma 826; 2. Pepperdine 833; 3. Texas 835; 4. Florida 844; 5. Georgia Tech 845; 6. Georgia 848; 7. New Mexico 849; 8. Illinois 854; 9. SMU 856; T10. TCU 858; T10. UNLV 858; 12. Northwestern 864; 13. San Diego 869; 14. UCLA 870; 15. USC 878.

Top Individuals: 1. Patrick Welch (Oklahoma) 202; T2. Joe Highsmith (Pepperdine) 205; T2. Cole Hammer (Texas) 205; T2. Drew Goodman (Oklahoma) 205; T2. Christo Lamprecht (Georgia Tech) 205; T2. Fred Biondi (Florida) 205.