INDEPENDENCE, Minn. – Cal (303-277-301 – 881, +29) opened its 2016-17 season with an eighth-place finish at the Gopher Invitational that concluded with the final 18 holes of play Sunday at Windsong Farm Golf Club. Collin Morikawa, who was Cal's first Freshman All-American and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season, led the way for the Golden Bears by tying for fifth place.

The event also marked the head coaching debut for Cal's Alex and Marie Shipman Director of Men's Golf Walter Chun, who was named to the position in August after spending the previous 18 seasons with the program as an associate head coach, assistant coach, administrative assistant and player.

"It's hard to believe that I'm the head coach now at Cal," Chun said. "It's still a dream come true and I cannot thank people enough for all their support to date. As for teeing it up in compeititon as head coach, it's certainly a different feeling and more pressure, but at least I'm not doing it alone. I've got a tremendous support group starting with my family, coach Desimone, coach Mina, the players and the Cal Golf Committee. We're all in this together and that's comforting."

Morikawa (76-67-71 – 214, +1) had the tournament's top score over the final 36 holes by playing his final two rounds in a combined four-under par after an opening-round five-over par tally. Morikawa, who picked up eight of his 10 birdies in the final two rounds, came into the event at No. 2 in the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking and retained his position.

"It was a great start to the season for me," Morikawa said. "I had some tough stretches during the three rounds but hung in there and played my game to finish strong the final round."

"Collin's performance continues to be impressive," Chun added. "He really steadied himself after the first round, and I have to give [assistant] coach [Eric] Mina credit. Eric was a really positive influence on Collin."

Walker Huddy (76-68-74 – 218, +5) was the next Cal player listed on the leaderboard in a tie for 19th while Ben Doyle (73-68-78 – 219, +6) tied for 23rd after starting the final round tied for fifth. Stephen Griggs (78-75-78 – 231, +18) and Clayton Madey (82-74-86 – 242, +29) were also in the Cal lineup, tying for 63rd and taking 76th, respectively.

Morikawa was the only player in the Gopher Invitational lineup to play at last year's NCAA Championships, where he finished 10th while Cal tied for 10th in former head coach Steve Desimone's 37th and final season. Three other players that were in last season's NCAA lineup are still with the program but KK Limbhasut and Sebastian Crampton are redshirting in 2016-17 to focus on gaining admission to the Haas School of Business while Jamie Cheatham is recovering from an injury. Senior Shotaro Ban was the other player in the 2016 NCAA Championships.

"With any inexperienced team you're going to go through some growing pains, but the guys never packed it in," Chun said. "They gave 100% all tournament long. They wanted to play well, but inexperience and nerves won the day."
Oklahoma (284-289-287 – 860, +8) was the team champion while the Sooners' Grant Hirschman (68-73-69 – 210, -3) captured individual medalist honors.

Alexander Wilson (72-72-70 – 214, -2) also played in the Gopher Individual and tied for third in a field of 40.

Cal returns to action Sept. 23-25 at the Maui Jim Collegiate hosted by Georgia State at the Mirabel Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 
GOPHER INVITATIONAL (HOSTED BY MINNESOTA)
INDEPENDENCE, MN
WINDSONG FARM GOLF CLUB (PAR 71, 7388 YARDS)
 
FINAL TEAM LEADERBOARD (after 2 of 2 days/3 of 3 rounds/54 of 54 holes)
1. Oklahoma (284-289-287 – 860, +8)
2. San Diego State (289-282-294 – 865, +13)
3. Michigan State (292-284-290 – 866, +14)
4. Kent State (286-290-296 – 872, +20)
5. New Mexico (291-290-293 – 874, +22)
6. Arkansas (289-284-303 – 876, +24)
7. Iowa (295-291-293 – 879, +27)
8. Cal (303-277-301 – 881, +29)
T9. Charlotte (296-295-293 – 884, +32)
T9. Minnesota (298-291-295 – 884, +32)
T11. Pepperdine (295-296-295 – 886, +34)
T11. SMU (303-289-294 – 886, +34)
13. Washington (298-295-296 – 889, +37)
14. Minnesota 'B' (301-302-307 – 910, +58)
15. St. John's (MN) (309-294-314 – 917, +65)
 
FINAL PLAYER LEADERBOARD – INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST (after 2 of 2 days/3 of 3 rounds/54 of 54 holes)
1. Grant Hirschman – Oklahoma (68-73-69 – 210, -3)

PLAYER LEADERBOARD – CAL INDIVIDUALS (after 2 of 2 days/3 of 3 rounds/54 of 54 holes)
T5. Collin Morikawa (76-67-71 – 214, +1)
T19. Walker Huddy (76-68-74 – 218, +5)
T23. Ben Doyle (73-68-78 – 219, +6)
T63. Stephen Griggs (78-75-78 – 231, +18)
76. Clayton Madey (82-74-86 – 242, +29)