University of Arizona
Wyoming Cowboy Classic
Gumberg Co-Champion at Cowboy Classic
04/05/2016 | Men's Golf
TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona men's golf team concluded play at the 14th annual Wyoming Cowboy Classic on April 5. The Cats placed 10th with a score of 871 (+7).
Sophomore Jordan Gumberg finished the tournament in a four-way tie for first place, he then advanced to a playoff. The playoff started on 18, with Gumberg and Colorado's Jeremy Paul scoring par. Due to travel arrangements, the playoff concluded and Gumberg was named co-champion. The sophomore is now the only Wildcat on the current roster with a tournament win, with most recent coming from Tarquin MacManus in 2011 at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic. Gumberg, a sophomore from Fort Lauderdale shot five under in the third round of play, helping him move from a tie for fourth to a tie for first.
"I knew if I could get to 10 under, I would have a pretty good chance at winning,” said Gumberg. “Fortunately, I was able to pick up a few shots on the back nine and get to where I wanted to be going into the final holes. I'm really excited to have broken through in our home state of Arizona and come out with a win."
Gumberg's third round consisted of his only eagle of the tournament, and four of his fifteen birdies. Starting the day on four, Gumberg notched only one birdie before making the turn and started out the back nine with a bogey. A pair of birdies on 13 and 14 put him two under on the round heading into the final seven holes of the day. An eagle on 17 put him one stroke behind the leader. Going into the final hole of the day, the sophomore carded a birdie to give him a score of 67 (-5), beating his career low 18 hole score, finishing the tournament with a score of 205 (-11), beating his career low 54 hole score.
Gumberg continued; "Being 3 under on my back nine, I knew I was really close. Coach (Nallen) did a really good job of making sure I kept my head down and took good swings. I put myself in a good position on the 2nd hole, at that point I knew where I stood and knew that I needed a birdie on my last hole to tie. My final hole was a 177-yard par 3 thought, 'ok I can make that.' I knew that today was not going to end with a lip out par on the last to place 2nd. I took 3 deep breaths, looked at the hole and hit the putt, just as I thought, it went in.”
“Jordan really carried us this week again,” said head men's golf coach Jim Anderson. “We are happy to celebrate this milestone for him and our program and hope it can be a confidence booster for others on our team. He was so patient and just kept to his process all week.”
Redshirt Sophomre Jake Kreuz finished the competition tied for 21st with a score of 215 (-1). Kreuz walks away from the tournament beating his career low 54 hole score, as well as besting his career 18 hole score. Kreuz notched nine birdies in the two days of competition.
Anderson continued; “Jake did a great job of getting his game back and we will continue building with his scores too. As far as the team, we are still searching for a few guys to step up. The round was going ok but we gave up some careless shots at the end. I don't know if it is misexecution, or us being tense but these are mistakes we see more often in tournaments. Next week, we will focus on putting and short game because it will be very useful in Santa Cruz.”
Sophomore Peter Koo ended the competition tied for 72nd place with a score of 225 (+9) after shooting a 74 (+2) in the third round. Senior Kolton Lapa tied for 96th after shooting a 75 (+3), and finishing the competiton with a score of 231 (+15). Redshirt Freshman Andrew Garner shot a 79 (+7) in the final round to tie him for 99th with a score of 232 (+16).
Tyler Moore, Max Donohue, and Martin Larrea competed for the Wildcats as Individuals. Freshman Tyler Moore shot two over in the final round of play to tie him for 34th with a score of 218 (+2). Martin Larrea shot four over on the last day to tie him for 56th with a score of 222 (+6). Sophomore Max Donohue tied for 83rd with a score of 227 (+11).
Up next, the Cats will travel to Santa Cruz, Calif. on April 11.
For more information and updates about the University of Arizona Men's Golf Team, follow @UAWildcatsGolf on Twitter, @uawildcatsgolf on Instagram and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaWildcatsGolf.
