BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – For the first time since the 2012-13 season, the CSU Bakersfield men's golf team will be hosting a regular season tournament. The Roadrunners, who are coming off of their best finish at a Western Athletic Conference Championships since joining the league, will kick off the 2016-17 slate with their own tournament, the CSUB Roadrunner Invitational.
“I am so very excited for the 16/17 season,” said Meggan Bunker. “We have added new tournaments to our travel list, and we are thrilled to be representing CSUB for these events, including our CSUB Roadrunner Invitational. We start our season off with our Invitational next week, and I expect big things from the men on the team.”
After the Roadrunner Invite Sept. 19-20, CSUB will travel to tournaments hosted by Fresno State, CSUN, and Pacific to close the fall portion of the schedule at the end of October. The 'Runners will open the spring season at Cal State Fullerton's annual Folino Invitational at Industry Hills Golf Course.
A visit to Southern Utah's tournament in February will lead CSUB to a busy March. The month will feature tournaments hosted by Sacramento State and fellow WAC member Grand Canyon. CSUB's men will round out the regular season with the Cal Poly Shootout Apr. 17-18 before heading to the WAC Championships.
This year's conference tournament is set for Apr. 28-30 in Mesa, Ariz. at Longbow Golf Club. Grand Canyon will host the three-day, 54-hole Championships while CSUB will be looking to continue to improve upon its fifth place finishes from each of the last two season.
Bunker also spoke about her expectations for the men's squad this year: “With our returners, along with our new student-athletes, I look to have a very dominant season and cannot wait for these players to show off their amazing talent throughout the year. I have a very strong, hard-working team, and this season looks to be very promising. These athletes are amazing and will represent CSUB very well.”
Leading the 'Runners into action will be a pair of upperclassmen. Junior Nathan Green is the leading returning for CSUB in scoring average from a year ago. The native of Green River, Wyo. posted a season average of 76.92 and will look to lead the 'Runners into action this year.
Izzad Ibrahim, who led the 'Runners and finished 18th overall at last year's WAC Championships, also returns for his senior season. Sophomore Garry Cai rounds out the 'Runner returners while a trio of newcomers will look to make a mark.
The 'Runners welcome a pair of freshmen in Dominick Hoover and Bakersfield native Warren Miller. Miller enjoyed an outstanding prep career and was named Bakersfield Californian BVarsity SWYL Player of the Year during his senior season. Hoover, a graduate of Palma High School in Salinas, Calif., concluded his senior campaign with a 77.4 scoring average. CSUB's 2016-17 squad also features a sophomore transfer in Michael Mahlberg. The Vacaville, Calif. native spent his freshman season at Simpson University before becoming a 'Runner.
~GoRunners.com~
