The WSU men’s golf team got a chance to host their annual tournament at the Palouse Ridge Golf Course where they did not waste the home-field advantage. The Cougs won the tournament with a total team score of 807 strokes which is 45 under par and the second-lowest score in team history. 

WSU fell behind after round one with a score of 11 under par while Santa Clara University scored 16 under par. The Cougs ended up dominating in round two and three combining for 34 under par. 

One of the highlights for WSU was sophomore Dylan Burcham. He led the men’s team shooting 15 under par, which was the best for single players in the tournament. He had a shot on the twelfth hole that skipped and spun back to six inches from the cup giving him an easy tap-in birdie. He ranked first in the tournament for average strokes on par fours, averaging 3.70. Burcham played a consistent tournament hitting five under in each round that he played. 

WSU had five other players who finished under par for the tournament. Junior Ben Mulder had a great performance finishing third out of the player, and in both rounds two and three went six under par. On the ninth hole of round three he holed an eagle. Mulder had 18 birdies in the tournament along with Burcham’s tournament leading 19 birdies.

Senior Sam Renner ,who was named to last year’s All-WCC Men’s Golf Team, had a great start to the year as well. He got better with each round, posting scores of one under par in round one, four under par in round two and then five under par in round three.

Head coach Dustin White was very happy with his team’s performance, who hit a total of 104 birdies. 

“They’re doing what they’ve talked about wanting to do for a while now and I’m excited to see where it takes us,” White said. 

During round two, WSU did not have a single player shoot above par, with the lowest score being at an even par. 

Twelve teams competed in three rounds over Tuesday and Wednesday. The biggest competition for WSU was Santa Clara who almost made a comeback in round three with a score of 17 under par. Senior Calder Overfelt had a great three rounds for Santa Clara, finishing with 14 under par, but a shaky back nine gave Burcham the win for single players.

The Palouse Collegiate tournament is the only competition that the Cougars play in Pullman each year. The home course aspect came around towards the end of round three when spectators showed up at hole 18. Burcham felt that the home crowd helped him play better.

“I’m grateful that they came out and supported us, it’s like a family out here. It motivates you and pushes you,“ he said. 

Three Cougs played as individuals, freshman Cameron Flick, freshman Dylan Boenning, and sophomore Tate Bruggeman.

The next tournament for WSU is Sep. 22 and 23 at The Tindall in Bremerton, Washington.