Toros in Field, But Cal State Bakersfield Takes 36-Hole Lead at Coyote Classic
March 22, 2004

Courtesy Cal State San Bernardino Sports Information Office

HESPERIA — Cal State Bakersfield, the nation's sixth-ranked NCAA Division II golf team, held a three-stroke lead over Grand Canyon University Monday after the first 36 holes of the third annual Cal State San Bernardino Coyote Classic Invitational at Hesperia Golf and Country Club.

Justin Stover of Grand Canyon parlayed a five-under-par 67 in the second round of the day to a one stroke lead over Nick Mason of University of Hawaii-Hilo in the battle for medalist honors. Stove is at 139 after 36 holes with Mason a stroke back after rounds of 68 and even-par 72.

The 14-team tournament concludes with 18 holes Tuesday morning on the 6,996-yard, par 72 Hesperia layout, a vintage course with the honor of hosting a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf TV special back in 1959, the year golfing legend Gene Littler set the course record at 62. Tee time is 7:30 a.m.

The host Coyotes are tied for fifth place in the team standings with Hawaii-Hilo at 596, 12 shots out of Bakersfield's lead (584). Coyotes sophomore Ryan Plummer is tied for fifth place in the medalist chase with a 36-hole total of 144, tying him with Kevin Starr of Cal State Bakersfield and Chris Hudson of Point Loma Nazarene. After shooting a three-under 69 in the morning round, Plummer finished off the day with a 75.

Chris Whitaker of Cal State Dominguez Hills had a forgettable day on the links but one unforgettable shot -- an ace on the 211-yard par-3 12th hole. The Toros golfer is way back at 169 after two rounds.

The nation's No. 4-ranked team, UC San Diego, was tied for third place at 594 -- 10 shots out of the lead -- along with Cal State Stanislaus, ranked No. 3 in the nation among D-II teams.

Stover's 67 equaled the best round of the day. Ron Killmer of Cal State Bakersfield shot 67 in the morning round and backed it up with a 75 in the afternoon for a two-under par total of 142, three shots behind Stover. Shane Prante of Saint Martin's College is just two off the lead with a 69-72-141 total.

Josh Immordino of Western Washington had the day's biggest turnaround, shooting a seven-over 79 in the morning and a three-under par 69 in the afternoon to gain a tie for 14th spot.

CSUSB COYOTE CLASSIC 1. Cal State Bakersfield -- 285-299--584; 2. Grand Canyon University -- 297-290 -- 587; 3. UC San Diego -- 292-302 -- 594 and Cal State Stanislaus -- 292-302 -- 594; 5. CSUSB -- 290-306 -- 596 and Hawaii-Hilo -- 287-309 -- 596; 7. Point Loma Nazarene -- 291-306-597; 8. Western Washington -- 305-294 -- 599; 9. Western New Mexico -- 302-299-- 601; 10. Master's College -- 297-309 -- 606; 11. Saint Martin's College -- 307-305 -- 612; 12. Cal State Monterey Bay -- 303-310 -- 613; 13. Cal State Dominguez Hills -- 317-323 -- 640; 15. Northwest Nazarene -- 340-339 -- 679.

TOP INDIVIDUALS Justin Stover (Grand Canyon) 72-67 -- 139; Nick Mason (Hawaii-Hilo) 68-72 -- 140; Shane Prante (Saint Martins) 69-72 -- 141; Ron Killmer (Cal St. Bakersfield ) 67-75 -- 142; Ryan Plummer (CSUSB) 69-75 -- 144; Kevin Starr (Cal St. Bakersfield) 73-71 -- 144; Chris Hudson (Point Loma Nazarene ) 72-72 -- 144; Tim Feenstra (Western Washington) 74-71-- 145; Ryan Prew (Grand Canyon) 73-73- 146; Billy Moon (Cal State Stanislaus) 72-74-- 146; Seth Cotter (Masters College) 71-75 - 146; Jason Myers (Western New Mexico) 74-72-- 146.