TUCSON -- The BYU men’s golf team completed the 2010 Mountain West Conference Championships Saturday with a final round score of +4 to give the Cougars a three-day total of 854, two strokes over par and good enough for fourth place. Two Cougars, senior Robbie Fillmore and junior Esteban Calisto, tied for seventh place in the event.
“We thought if we could get out and post a good score we’d have a chance, but Colorado State played very well and was really impressive,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “It was just one of those tough days where we struggled with our putting and hit some goofy shots. We had chances and just didn’t make them; that’s the difference between winning and losing.”
No. 35 Colorado State on the Championship at -18 while No. 31 San Diego State finished second at -5 and No. 12 UNLV finished third at -3. BYU placed well ahead of No. 24 TCU (+15), Air Force (+35), Wyoming (+40), No. 45 New Mexico (+41) and Utah (+59).
Calisto actually led the way for BYU in the final round with a score 69, his best round of the tournament. He carded an eagle on the par-5 10th hole in the third round just as he did in the first round when he shot a team-leading 70. Calisto’s final 18 holes also featured five birdies.
“It was a fun day,” said Calisto. “It was good to get out there and play well and get my confidence back. I was able to make a few putts and actually hit the ball pretty well.”
Playing in his final MWC Championship, Fillmore posted a third-round score of 73, two strokes over par. He and Calisto both finished the even tied for seventh at even par. The placement marked the third top-10 MWC finish for Fillmore in his career.
Two other Cougars also carded scores of 73 in the third round as freshman Zac Blair and sophomore Jordan Rodgers each went 2-over-par. Blair finished the event in 22nd place at +6 while Rodgers tied for 23rd at +7. Senior Brady Johnson tied for 15th after shooting a 75 in round three, his best MWC finish.
The Cougars now hope to continue their season at NCAA Regionals. The Regionals field will be announced Monday at 4 p.m. MT.
MWC Tournament
1. No. 35 Colorado State -18
2. No. 31 San Diego State -5
3. No. 12 UNLV -3
4. BYU +2
5. No. 24 TCU +15
6. Air Force +35
7. Wyoming +40
8. No. 45 New Mexico +41
9. Utah +59
BYU +2 (287-279-288—854)
T7. R. Fillmore 71-69-73—213/E
T7. E. Calisto 70-74-69—213/E
T14. B. Johnson 72-68-75—215/+2
22. Z. Blair 77-69-73—219/+6
T23. J. Rodgers 74-73-73—220/+7