It was a beautiful yet exhausting first day in California. But even with low spirits after finishing their first day, the Western men’s golf team persevered, pushing past the low points and working as a team. The Vikings finished fifth out of fifteen competing teams. On Monday, Oct. 5 and Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Vikings headed south to California to compete in the Chico State InterWest Wildcat Classic. At the conclusion of the first day, Western sat in sixth place behind Dominican University of California. The Vikings had some slipups during the day, but finished strong. “Everyone just struggled today,” freshmen Cody Roth said. “We just didn’t play well as a team.” Even after a tough first round, all five individuals went into the next day knowing they had to do something different, both individually and as a team. “Everyone is going to try to play better, make little adjustments where they see fit,” Roth said. Starting the second day, the Vikings came out swinging. Shooting 5-over-par as a team, freshmen Michael Butler shot under par for his total score. “After three putting his last five holes, Butler came back and made a couple birdies,” Johnson said. “I think the talk we had after the first day motivated us to come out and play like we know we can play.” Johnson also finished his second day strong, shooting an even score for the course, ending the competition in the top 20 players list, finishing ninth out of eighty-four competitors. Western shot a 23-over 887 to end their game, finishing two shots behind Dominican and five shots behind Simon Fraser University. “As a team we played a lot better,” Roth said. “We didn’t have as many high scores and we were consistent, like we usually play.” This is the Vikings fourth tournament out of the five they attend during the fall. (Brett day 2 5:20) After a tough time in California, the Vikings are working hard to prepare themselves for their next competition. Western will be traveling to the Cal State Monterey Bay Invitational in sunny Seaside, California, Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 20.
