Cal State East Bay Men's Golf Captures First-Ever CCAA Championship
2016 CCAA Men's Golf Championship Results
NAPA – The Cal State East Bay men's golf team took home the program's first-ever California Collegiate Athletic Associaton Championship banner after defeating Sonoma State, 3-2 in Wednesday's final Medal/Match round at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa.
In its second year, the Conference's post-season tournament format called for 36 holes of stroke play followed by Medal/Match semifinal and final rounds. The Pioneers finished Monday's stroke play in a tie for third after firing a six-over 598. Then Tuesday CSUEB won its semifinal matchup with Stanislaus State, 4-1 to advance to Wednesday's final against SSU, which won its semifinal matchup with No. 1 Chico State, 3-2.
Chad Hall had another stellar day on the course, finishing with a one-under 71, defeating Seawolves' Justin Shluker by one shot. Owen Hutchison and Joel Keylor also won their respective matchups, shooting a 73 (+1) and 74 (+2), respectively, to defeat Nicolas Daniels and Kenny Maroney.
Sonoma State's Brandon Lee, one of three seniors on the Seawolves roster, shot the best score of the day, matching his lowest round of the year, firing a 69 (-3) to defeat this year's CCAA Individual Medalist Adam Stone by six strokes. Freshman Spencer Clapp also had a good day, finishing even on the day and only one-over in the two Medal/Match rounds combined.
The Pioneers, who entered this week's Championship unranked, also earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Championships. Prior to this week's play, Chico State, Cal State Monterey Bay, Sonoma State, and Cal State San Bernardino were all ranked among the top 10 in the west region. The host for the NCAA West/South Central Regional tournament is scheduled for May 2-4 at New Mexico State Unviersity Golf Course in La Cruces, NM. The ten institutions from each region will be announced via press release on NCAA.com on Friday.