Menante, Waves Win Valspar Collegiate Invitational

Tuesday, March 29

Palm City, Fla.

Pepperdine University

Valspar Collegiate

Dylan Menante

Photo by: Ben Adelberg

3/29/2022 3:42:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

By: by Athletic Communications

PALM CITY, Florida – The Pepperdine men's golf team cruised to a 14-shot victory at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday, while Dylan Menante won his first college title for the Waves.

The Waves posted a two-day total of a 34-under 818 (274-266-278) at the par-71 Floridian National Golf Club. Pepperdine opened the day with a 14-shot lead and improved upon that advantage for most of the day before settling for the same margin over Florida State. This victory came against an exceptional field that included four of Golfstat's top 10 teams, as well as seven top-25 schools and 10 top-35 programs.

It's the second tournament win of the season for the defending NCAA champions, following the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in the fall. The 34-under ties the eighth-best 54-hole score in program history.

Menante finished with a career-best-tying score of 14-under, which ties for seventh on Pepperdine's individual list. He won by one stroke.

PLAYER SCORES

Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) broke through today after coming close as a sophomore when he posted four second-place finishes. He ended up with a 14-under 199 (64-65-70). After beginning the day with a one-shot lead, his advantage increased thanks to five birdies in his first 13 holes, including three straight on holes 6, 7 and 8. His lead was such that he could overcome bogeys on his final three holes. Tuesday was Menante's 43rd career below-par round, moving him into a tie for 10th on Pepperdine's all-time list.
Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) came in ninth place with a 7-under 206 (68-66-72). He had three birdies during his final round. It was his 17th career top-10 finish, moving him into a tie for 10th place on the Waves' all-time list, and his team-best fifth of the season.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for 10th with a 6-under 207 (71-69-67). Mouw eagled the par-4 sixth hole, then later had three consecutive birdies on 15, 16 and 17 en route to his 4-under on Tuesday, the Waves' best score of the round. This was his second straight top-10 finish.
Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) tied for 22nd with a 2-under 211 (71-66-74). He had three birdies in the final round.
Freshman Ian Maspat (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) tied for 31st with a 1-under 212 (72-71-69). His 2-under included eight birdies, including two runs of three consecutive birdies.

UP NEXT

The Waves won the 2021 Western Intercollegiate and they'll be back to defend their title at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, California, from April 11-13. The Golf Channel will have live coverage.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Pepperdine 818; 2. Florida State 832; 3. Wake Forest 837; 4. Duke 838; 5. Arizona State 839; 6. Ohio State 840; 7. North Carolina 841; T8. South Florida 847; T8. Texas Tech 847; 10. Clemson 851; 11. Texas A&M 852; 12. Houston 856; 13. Marquette 861; 14. USC 866; 15. Minnesota 872.

Top Individuals: 1. Dylan Menante (Pepperdine) 199; 2. Frederik Kjettrup (Florida State) 200; T3. Ludvig Aberg (Texas Tech) 202; T3. Jacob Bridgeman (Clemson) 202; 4. Kelly Chinn (Duke) 203.