May 4, 2011
Final Results
HENDERSON, Nevada - Sam Forgan and Jonathan Bale both shot red numbers in the third and final round of the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Championships to lead Louisiana Tech to its best finish in program history at the event held this year at Rio Secco Golf Course.
One day after shooting a second round 81, Forgan came back strong to fire a two-under-par 70 while Bale added a one-under-par 71 as Louisiana Tech finished tied for fourth place with Idaho.
"We didn't execute as well as needed to during the three days, but all in all, it was a good season," said Tech head coach Jeff Parks. "I'm pleased with the success we showed during the year but we know we are looking for even more. We will readjust our goals and set them even higher.
"We will look for more wins as we set our sights on next year. We will lose Clinton (Shepard) which will hurt but we have guys who will step up. We have four guys returning who have experienced the WAC Championships this year. I'm excited about what we did this year, and even more excited about our future starting next year."
The finish by the Bulldogs is the best during its 10-year affiliation in the WAC, surpassing the previous best of fifth place in 2005 and 2010. New Mexico State won the event with a three-round total of 875 (+11) as the Aggies easily outdistanced the competition, besting runner-up San Jose State (888, +24) by 13 strokes.
Fresno State (889, +25) was third followed by LA Tech (901, +37), Idaho (901, +37), Nevada (913, +49), Boise State (921, +57), Hawaii (921, +57) and Utah State (950, +86).
Forgan's impressive round included five birdies and three bogeys as he shot a two-under-par 34 on the front nine before shooting even par on the final nine holes. Forgan moved up 15 spots after Tuesday's disastrous round, finishing tied for 13th overall with a total of 10-over-par 226.
Bale's round included five birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey as he was one under on the front and even on the back. The junior led the Bulldogs during the 54-hole event, finishing seventh overall with a three-round total of five-over-par 221 (73-78-71) - just one year after tying for ninth at the event.
Cody Santone shot a third round total of four-over-par 76, but his birdie on the 18th hole proved instrumental in helping LA Tech move into the fourth place tie with the Vandals.
Senior Clinton Shepard and freshman Jack Lempke both shot 79s on Wednesday. Lempke and Shepard both tied for 22nd overall with three-round totals of 14-over-par 230 while Santone tied for 26th with a total of 231.
San Jose State's Mark Hubbard and Idaho's Damian Talles both tied for the individual lead through 54 holes with totals of four-under-par 212. However, Hubbard parred the third playoff hole to defeat Talles and claim the individual WAC Championship honors.
