Men's golf team shoots for fifth in New York

Gerald Frazier
Daily Forty-Niner

The Long Beach State men's golf team finished fifth out of 20 teams last weekend at the McLaughlin Invitational in New York.

The 49ers shot 607 (303-304) in two rounds of action. St. Johns won the tournament shooting 586 (298-288) on its home course, while UNC-Greebsboro came in second, shooting 597 (296-301).

LBSU had hoped to capture its first championship of the year, but Head Coach Bob Livingstone said the competition played better than expected.

"We probably took those teams for granted a little too much," Livingstone said. "I am not sure with the way St. Johns played that we could have beaten them."

Senior Brian Merrick led the way for the 49ers, shooting 148 (72-76) and finishing in eighth place. Team captain senior John Mallinger shot a 149 (75-74) to finish tied for ninth place.

Jesse Fitzgerald of St. John's won the individual title by shooting 139 (72-67).   LBSU freshman Torey Edwards, playing in his first tournament, shot 161 (83-79).

"He did not play as well as he wanted to, being in his first tournament," Livingstone said. "It is a lot different [college level play] than high school."

The 49ers next tournament will be October 9-10 at the Strata-Pepperdine Invitational in Somis, Calif.