Pacific sophomore Eric Sugimoto and UC Davis senior Demi Runas led their teams to successful tournament showings thanks in part to outstanding individual performances, earning them the distinction of Big West Men's and Women's Golfer of the Month for February.
Sugimoto Leads Tigers To Farms Collegiate Invitational Title
Sophomore Eric Sugimoto (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS) claimed the Big West Men's Golfer of the Month award for February after leading Pacific to its first tournament title since the 2010-11 season.
The Tigers captured the championship of 12-team Farms Collegiate Invitational in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., utilizing the exceptional play of its lineup led by Sugimoto. Sugimoto carded a one-over par 217 to finish in a tie for fourth place and miss individual medalist honors by just two strokes. He shot a 71-73-73 at The Farms Golf Club, collecting birdies on the final two holes as he made a serious run for the individual title.
Nevertheless, the Tigers overcame a three stroke deficit to Saint Mary's and overtook the Gaels over the final 18 holes to win by six shots. It was Pacific's first team tournament win since taking home the Pacific Invitational title in 2010.
Sugimoto registered his second straight top five finish two weeks later at the Del Walker Classic, hosted by Long Beach State. He shot par or better in all three rounds of the tournament, carding a three-under 207 (69-70-68) to tie for second on the individual leaderboard. Sugimoto made another late run toward the individual crown as he birdied three of the final four holes and ended the final round with a team-best six birdies.
The effort paced Pacific to a second place team finish, just three strokes behind the tournament host 49ers.
Others nominated: Camden Price (Cal Poly); Raymond Ho (Long Beach State); Tyler Raber (UC Davis); Travis Russell (UC Irvine)
Aggie Runas Wins Fourth Consecutive Women's Golfer of the Month Award
Senior Demi Runas (Torrance, Calif./Torrance HS) continued her impressive roll of success as the UC Davis standout garnered her fourth consecutive Big West Women's Golfer of the Month award dating back to April of 2012.
Runas led UC Davis by tying for second place at both the Peg Barnard Invitational and Cal Classic in an impressive February showing.
She shot a 2-under 69 in the opening round of the Peg Barnard Invitational, tying for the lowest score by an Aggie in the month. Runas shot 69-71 for a total of 2-under 140 in the 36 hole tournament, helping the Aggies to a third place finish behind host No. 18 Stanford and No. 47 Cal, and ahead of second-ranked Washington.
Runas was one of just four players in the tournament field to finish below par.
At the inaugural Cal Classic in Pleasanton, Calif., Runas carried the momentum with her as she recorded her second straight second place finish. She fired a 36-hole total of 144 (71-73) to complete the 6,304-yard course at even par. Her 71 to open the tournament represented the third time in four rounds that she shot par (1) or below par (2).
UCD finished fourth in another highly competitive field that once again included Stanford and the host Bears, along with No. 14 Arizona State. Runas, ranked 11th by Golfstat, averaged 71.0 strokes over the two events to help the No. 11 Aggies finish in the upper echelon of the team standings.
Others nominated: Shawnee Martinez (Long Beach State); Ronnie Valerio (UC Irvine); Savannah Vilaubi (UC Riverside)