FRESNO STATE Men’s golF
HIGH HOPES AS ’DOGS ENTER SPRING SEASON 2012-13 SEASON PREVIEW
AS THE FRESNO STATE MEN’S GOLF TEAM WARMS UP TO TEE OFF ITS SPRING SEASON, THE ’DOGS REFLECT ON THEIR FALL SEASON AND HOPE TO BRING HOME THE BIG VICTORY IN 2013. With the return of seven members from the 201112 team and the addition of four new players, the Bulldogs kicked off their first season in the Mountain West Conference and proved they have the ability for a championship title. The team is anchored by senior Rufie Fessler and junior Nate Jessup, who are tied for fifth place in the MW ranking, and freshman Troix Tonkham, who also sits in the top 20 of the MW ranking. The Bulldogs opened up the fall season with their best team finish at the St. Mary’s College Invitational in which they took fourth place. Jessup and Tonkham both had their best season finish at the St. Mary’s College Invitational. Jessup shot even par and tied for eighth place and Tonkham shot one over par and tied for 10th. The Bulldogs continued their fall season in Fairfax, Calif. at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational hosted by No. 1 Cal where Fessler took a top 10 finish. The Bulldogs then traveled to Stockton, Calif. to compete in the Pacific Invitational. The Bulldogs battled on the course and Jessup fired his best score of the season with a nine under par, 207. The Bulldogs wrapped up the spring season in paradise at the Warrior Wave Intercollegiate in Kauai, Hawaii at the Princeville Golf Course.
22
RUFIE FESSLER
“We’ve had a solid fall,” head coach Mike Watney said. “Nate and Rufie both averaged 71+ for four tournaments. However, I feel there is a lot more that these guys and the whole team can accomplish. We’ve had four different guys shoot 65 or better in tournament qualifiers. That is some major firepower that we haven’t had for a long time.”
2012
Following the first two spring tournaments, the Bulldogs host the Fresno State Lexus Classic at the Belmont Country Club. The Fresno State Lexus Classic will be held on March 4-5 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The ’Dogs hit the road again as they travel to compete in the Bandon Dunes Championship, Cal Poly Match Play Championship, Western Intercollegiate and Winchester Invitational. The Bulldogs close their spring season at the MW Championship in Tuscon, Ariz. where they have the potential to take home the victory. “I’m really looking forward to the spring,” head coach Mike Watney said. “I love our schedule and I love this team. It is always hard to get to the postseason but this team certainly has the skills to win the MW championship and to advance to the postseason. Plus, another thing I like is that 100 percent of the team is on track to graduate. It is the same will to excel that propels student-athletes to college degrees and conference championships.” As the men’s golf team wraps up its 2012-13 season, they will say goodbye to the strong leadership and skill of four seniors including Rufie Fessler, Johnny Partridge, Jack Mulroy, and Rich Gilkey. “I’m proud of these four seniors,” Watney said. “They have led by example. They are dedicated studentathletes and are all on track to graduate.”
NATE JESSUP
2013
GENERAL
GENERAL
The Bulldogs face a full spring schedule with seven tournaments including their host tournament the Fresno State Lexus Classic.
The Bulldogs tee off the spring season in San Diego, Calif. at the Farms Collegiate Invitational. The ’Dogs will then travel to La Quinta, Calif. to compete in The Prestige at the PGA West, Greg Norman Course.
23