Men's Golf | 11/1/2014 10:40:00 PM
Final ResultsHILO, Hawaii – St. Edward's sophomore
DILLON VAN ESSEN finished second after falling in a playoff but led the Hilltoppers to a second place finish Saturday afternoon in the Dennis Rose Invitational. The tournament took place at the 7,074-yard, Par 72 Waikoloa Kings' Course.
Van Essen (71-78-70=219) trailed coming into the final day by one stroke to Hawaii-Hilo's Dalen Yamauchi (72-76-71=219). The sophomore made up that ground in the final round with a two-under 70. This was the lowest round of the day by any golfer. Van Essen would, however, lose in a playoff to Yamauchi. This was Dillon's second top-five finish of the season and sixth of his career.
"Dillon played excellent all tournament," head coach Todd Ohlmeyer said. "His ball striking was spot on and he made some really good putts."
St. Edward's (302-315-302=919) rebounded from an up-and-down day one but could not make up the three-stroke difference it faced going into the final round. Hawaii-Hilo (302-312-302=916) took home the team title in their home event. CSU-Stanislaus (308-313-299=920) finished in a close third one stroke behind St. Edward's.
"Saturday was a better day for us," Ohlmeyer said. "This gives us a chance to head into the offseason with a little confidence."
JAY HOGAN (72-77-81=230) also had a solid tournament for the Hilltoppers as the sophomore finished tied for 10
th for his second career top-10 finish.
JOEY HEARN (78-79-76=233) shot his lowest score of the tourney in the final round to move up to a tie for 16
th place.
JOSE HERNANDEZ (81-81-80=242) and
ANDRES RODAS (83-84-76=243) finished tied for 48
th and 51
st, respectively for St. Edward's.
That will wrap up the fall portion of the schedule for St. Edward's. They will be back in action Feb. 9-10 when they take part in the Matlock Invitational. The two-day 54-hole event will take place at the Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Fla.
