By Andrew Hartley(@andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
Caleb Shetler tees off to continue the next round. Photo courtesy SJSU Athletics
A battle ensued Tuesday between SJSU and the University of New Mexico for second place at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational in Fairfax, California. SJSU was aiming for their first second place finish in a tournament since the spring of 2021.
The Spartans recorded their second third-place finish this season Oct. 10. This is the second year in a row SJSU has finished third at the Alister.
There was rain and mist both days of the tournament. Three Spartans finished within the top-20 with 10 of their 15 rounds shot under par.
“I had my sunglasses with me but I didn’t need them today,” said SJSU head coach John Kennaday following Monday’s performance.
Zubair Firdaus led the way for the Spartans with his best score being 4-under par, 67, in round 3. While SJSU was the second best on par 4s in the tournament, Firdaus was a large contributor shooting 7-under on those holes.
Clutch play Tuesday from Carl Corpus and Ivan Barahona elevated SJSU from fourth place into a conversation for second. Corpus shot a 67, his best score of the tournament and Barahona shot a 68.
With Corpus finishing tied for 15th, it’s the second tournament in a row where he and Firdaus have been the top-two for SJSU.
The Meadow Club golf course was an advantage for Caleb Shetler, who shot a 6-under par, 66, in round one which would’ve been his highest collegiate round. It would’ve been had he not shot a 7-under par, 65, just a year ago. Shetler would finish tied for 20th overall shooting a 6-under par, 207.
“The team shot 24-under today,(Monday) which I would’ve taken in a heartbeat at the beginning of the day,” said Kennaday.
SJSU also got freshman Marlon Jones and Andreas Diogenous action as they competed as individuals.
SJSU will take the green one more time this fall hoping to keep this high level play. They’ll travel to Hawaii to take part in the Ka’anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational from Oct. 26-28.