May 21, 2000
Madera, CA -
The Cal men's golf team earned its fourth trip to the NCAA Finals in the last six years with a dramatic sudden death performance at the West Regional Golf Tournament in Madera, CA Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bears finished in a three-way tie for 10th place and the final qualifying spot for the NCAA Finals to be held June 1-4 at Auburn. Cal finished with a 865 score along with arch-rival Stanford and Idaho.
Idaho faltered on the first playoff hole, but Cal and Stanford were still dead even entering the third playoff hole. It was a brilliant 200-yard iron shot by sophomore Walter Chun that led to a birdie and the playoff victory for the Golden Bears.
"This is one of the biggest sighs of relief," Cal head coach Steve Desimone said after the playoff tie-breaker. "I'm so proud of my kids. We were lucky, Walter Chun made a great birdie from 200 yards out. In my 21 years it was one of the greatest shots I've ever seen."
The Bears played steady golf throughout the three-day tournament with none of the team's 15 scores over 75. In fact, all five of the Cal players finished within two strokes of each other. With senior Han Lee, Walter Chun and freshman James Hahn all tied at 217, which was a tie for 46th in the tournament.
On Saturday, senior Robert Hamilton posted a 2-under 70, by far his best day of the tournament, to lead the Golden Bears. He and freshman Jesse Ruda finished at 219.
Overall, Arizona finished first in the NCAA Regionals with a spectacular 26-under score of 839. Others qualifying for the NCAA Finals were BYU, UNLV, USC, New Mexico, Arizona St., Fresno St., Washington and Pepperdine.
California, U. of 291 283 291 865
T 46 Han Lee 75 69 73 217
T 46 Walter Chun 71 72 74 217
T 46 James Hahn 73 70 74 217
T 60 Robert Hamilton 75 74 70 219
T 60 J.R. Ruda 72 72 75 219
TEAM SCORES
1. Arizona 839 (26 under)
2. BYU 843
2. UNLV 843
4. USC 848
5. New Mexico 850
6. Arizona St. 851
6. Fresno St. 851
8. Washington 855
9. Pepperdine 864
10. California 865*
10. Stanford 865
10. Idaho 865
* Cal won playoff on third hole
