Long Beach State University Athletics
49er Golf Teams Prepare For Big West Conference Championships
4/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 19, 2008
FIRST TEE: The Long Beach State men's golf heads down to south Orange County for the Big West Conference Men's & Women's Golf Championships on Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22. First and second rounds will be played on Monday with the final 18-holes concluding on Tuesday at the Tijeras Creek Golf Course (par-72/6,918 yards) in Rancho Santa Margarita. Michael Drake, Karl Katnik, Eric Pitcaithley, Ricky Montanez and JJ Katnik will battle with the seven other Big West schools. "Mike and Karl both played Tijeras Creek in the Big West last year," said 49er Head Coach Bob Livingstone. "And several of the guys went down there on their own to get in some extra practice, so we should be familiar with the course."
TEE TIMES: Tee times have been released for the first and second rounds on Monday, Apr. 21, and will take place at the first hole. JJ Katnik (8:49/1:49); Ricky Montanez (8:58/1:58); Eric Pitcaithley (9:06/2:06); Karl Katnik (9:15/2:15) and Michael Drake (9:23/2:23).
LIVINGSTONE ON BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS: "This is the event we have been working for all year," said 49er Head Coach Bob Livingstone. "This is the most balanced field I can remember in 14 years, so while UCI is probably a slight favorite, any team could win, and no one would be shocked. We need to play smart golf and play well on the par-5 holes, which I think are the keys to the course."
LAST YEAR AT THE BIG WEST: The 49ers shot a three-round total of 878 (272-290-852) to finish in fifth place at last year's Big West Championships. Brett Lederer captured the individual title as he recorded a 204 (65-70-69). Sophomores Michael Drake and Karl Katnik were members of last year's team that played in the tournament. Drake tied for 21st place as he shot a 224 (81-73-70) and Katnik tied for 29th with a 227 (79-74-74). UC Irvine won last year's team title by three shots over second place Cal Poly as the Anteaters finished with an 852 (272-290-290).
LBSU FINISHES IN EIGHTH PLACE IN SANTA BARBARA: Long Beach State concluded the regular season at the OGIO Pacific Coast Intercollegiate over three weeks ago as the 49ers shot a three-round total of 900 (305-302-305) to finish in eighth place. Michael Drake was the top individual for the LBSU as he finished with a score of 222 (74-74-74) as tied for 21st place. Aaron Slonim (80-76-70) finished four shots behind as he tied for 37th, followed by Issei Suenaga in 45th and Karl Katnik tied for 52nd and Ricky Montanez tied for 55th.
MONTANEZ HAS BEST TOURNAMENT SANTA CRUZ: Although just having played in five tournaments in his rookie season for LBSU, freshman Ricky Montanez recorded his best performance this season as he tied for 36th place at the 62nd Western Intercollegiate. Montanez began the tournament with a 13-over 83 in the opening round, but came back in the second round with a two-under 68, which marked his lowest round this season. Montanez completed the final round with a seven-over 77.
DRAKE LEADS 49ERS FOR SIXTH TIME: For the third consecutive tournament and sixth overall this season, Michael Drake was the top individual for LBSU at the OGIO Pacific Coast Intercollegiate. Drake shot a three-round total of 222 (74-74-74) to finish tied for 21st place, which marked his third best finish for the 2007-08 campaign. His best finish came at the beginning at the season at the Saint Mary's Invitational as tied for sixth with a score of 217 (71-72-74). Drake was also the top 49er at the Wolf Pack Classic, Ping Intercollegiate, Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic and the Western Intercollegiate.
49ER GOLF BANQUET: The 49er men's and women's golf teams will host a first-ever banquet that will take place on Saturday, May 10 at Smooth's Sports Bar & Grille on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach. Cost is $25 a person and you may also sponsor a player at the same price. Reception will begin at 3 p.m. For further information contact Dan Gooch at 562-896-0475.
LIVINGSTONE WILL RETIRE AT SEASON'S END: Long Beach State Head Coach Bob Livingstone announced that he will retire at the end of the season after serving 14 years at the helm of the 49er men's golf program ... "After much thought and for several reasons, I have decided that when this school year ends I will not seek a contract renewal," said Livingstone ... "I am making this announcement now so that the high school golfers we are recruiting will have all of the information they need to make their decisions ... Rest assured I am still committed to the team and the players for the remainder of this year ... This is an extremely young team, but one with phenomenal talent, and our goal is to put together all of the things we are working on by the end of the spring, when the Big West Championship and NCAA playoff selections take place ... While we haven't been as consistent as we would like this semester, we have shown much potential in our five fall events, and I believe we will continue to improve and peek at the right time."
Players Mentioned
