Men's Golf | 3/17/2015 11:13:00 PM

Final Results

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The St. Edward's Men's Golf team came up big when they needed it, making four birdies in its last three holes to edge out two teams by one stroke and win the Rattler Invitational Tuesday afternoon at The Republic Golf Club. The victory was the first for the Hilltoppers this season.
 
St. Edward's (290-288-288=866) opened the final day tied with NCAA Division I opponent Incarnate Word (300-278-289=867). The Hilltoppers started the round matching the Cardinals shot-for-shot. Midwestern State (291-289-287=867) started their round two shots back of both teams. The Mustangs used 10 birdies within their team on the front nine to close the gap and make it a three-team race.
 
With the title coming down to the last handful of holes, the Hilltoppers raised their game. DILLON VAN ESSEN (67-72-71=210), who played the front nine at three-under par, struggled on the back nine where his score dropped back to even-par. On hole 18, last year's All-America selection found the fairway bunker off his drive. After punching out of a thick trap, Van Essen's third shot left him with 10 yards to the cup. He would calmly drain the putt to give the Hilltoppers the championship by one stroke over both teams. The putt also gave him a tie for third, which was his third top-10 finish of the season.
 
"Dillon had a great event," head coach Todd Ohlmeyer said. "For obvious reasons, he was very important for our win, but his par-saving putt on 18 proved to be the difference maker."
 
JOSE HERNANDEZ (73-75-69=217) was also huge down the stretch, as the senior saved his best for last. After playing the first 14 holes at even par, Hernandez birdied two of his last four holes to finish with a two-under 69. That score gave Hernandez his second top-10 finish of the season as he finished tied for ninth place.
 
"Jose is one of the best players in the region," Ohlmeyer said. "He has needed a round like today to build some confidence as we head into post-season play."
 
JAY HOGAN (76-71-72=219) continued to impress by shooting a one-over 72 to finish tied for 11^th place. JOEY HEARN (74-70-76=220) ended tied for 13^th place and PAUL DRINKWATER rounded out the Hilltoppers with a tie for 62^nd place.
 
"I was very happy for the boys," Ohlmeyer said. "We needed this to help us within the region. The guys knew that going in and we came out on top."
 
ANDRES RODAS and ANDREW LIU played as individuals during the tourney and ended tied for 36^th and in 70^th place, respectively.
 
 
Incarnate Word's Austin Jordan won the individual title after a four-hole playoff against Missouri Southern's Ryan Buerk.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action March 30-31, when they travel to Vallejo, Calif. to compete in the CSU-East Bay Regional Preview. The 54-hole tournament will take place at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, which is the site of this year's NCAA DII South Central/West Super Regional.