Cowboys Golf Drops Opening Day Match To UC Irvine, Claims Victory Vs. UC Santa Barbara

From the desk of Nick Seeman/Wyoming Athletics

INDIAN Wells, Calif.  (Feb. 19, 2024)  - The Wyoming Cowboys earned a split on Monday on the first day of the Wyoming Match Play at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Player’s Course in Indian Wells, Calif. The Pokes fell to UC Irvine (3-2-1) in the opening round but responded with a 3-2-1 win over UC Santa Barbara in the afternoon including earning wins in three of the final four matches.

“The guys have been doing a great job with training and preparation as well as competing,” UW head coach Joe Jensen. “We responded well in the afternoon and that is something to build off. We are going to out and play well tomorrow and continue to grow.”

The Pokes were dominate in the second round of the day earning a 3-2-1 win over UC Santa Barbara. Patrick Azevedo recorded a win by a 5&4 mark. He earned his victory with wins on the 13th and 14th hole. Jaren Calkins earned a win over 2&1 getting the upper hand in his match on the ninth hole and sealed the win on the final hole.

Jimmy Dales was impressive in his match winning 6&5 for the largest win of the day for the Pokes. He was up by four holes after the first seven holes. He finished the match with back-to-back birdies. Kristoff Panke tied his match in the afternoon.

The Cowboys lost the first match of the day to UC Irvine by a score of 3-2-1. Evan Johnson earned the win in his match by a score of 3&2. He took control of his match with a birdie on the 12th hole. Davis Seybert won his match 2&1. He recorded a par on the 18th hole to seal his match. Calkins earned a tie in his match as he was up by three holes at one point, but the Irvine golfer battled back.

Cal State Fullerton earned a pair of victories on the opening day along with Colorado as the two will play for the championship tomorrow. UC Irvine and Sacramento State will play for third place with the Pokes facing off against Pacific for fourth place. Utah State and UC Santana Barbara will play for seventh.

The event will wrap up on Tuesday morning starting at 7:40 MT with the Pokes look to finish fourth.

Cowboy Results vs. UC Irvine

Evan Johnson over K. McGough, 3&2

Davis Seybert over R. Harashima, 2&1

J. Nakao over Patrick Azevedo, 2&1

Jaren Calkins Tied Y. Zou

J. Tang over Jimmy Dales, 4&3

D. Zhao over Kristof Panke, 1&0

Cowboy Results vs. UC Santa Barbara

W. Hoff over Evan Johnson, 2&1

K. McGinley over Davis Seybert, 2&1

Patrick Azevedo over R. Bedi, 5&4

Jaren Calkins Over B. McGovern, 2&1

Jimmy Dales over B. Arnold, 6&5

Kristof Panke tied N. Waldock