By: Diego Macaraeg (@DiegoMac_sports) – Spear Reporter | Senior Avinash Iyer in action during the Ka’anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER in Lahaina, Hawai’i. (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
A final-day surge from seniors Avinash Iyer and Ivan Barahona helped San Jose State men’s golf close its fall season in impressive fashion on Wednesday, finishing sixth overall at 33-under (819) at the Ka’anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER in Lahaina, Hawai’i.
In his lowest round of the tournament, Iyer carded a 6-under 65 on the final day to finish in a tie for fifth at 14-under (199).
Barahona followed closely behind in 13th place at 11-under (202) after posting back-to-back rounds of 66 to end his week on a high note.
SJSU head coach John Kennaday’s defining moment came on Iyer’s final hole, a putt that tied him with Barahona for the best cumulative score of the fall.
“Avi made a putt on the last hole that was really important to him and to us,” Kennaday said. “They [Iyer and Barahona] both shot 29-under par in fall competition, which is extraordinarily good and great consistent play.”
The Spartans’ final-day total of 274 (-10) capped a tournament in which the team steadily climbed the leaderboard, finishing ahead of No. 41 ranked Kansas and producing three players inside the top 35.
“Very proud of this team,” Kennaday said. “The team had an excellent campaign and we can build off of and work with for future success.”
Freshman Christian Maggard put up impressive rounds of 71, 66 and 70 to finish tied for 34th at 6-under (207).
Contributing to the team’s final tally, Junior Keshav Mungali (215, +2) and senior Jed Dy (216, +3) finished 77th and 83rd respectively.
Competing individually, freshman Ben Friedman hit a consistent 209 (-4) to tie for 45th, while redshirt sophomore Itai Cohen finished at 231 (+18).
In all three rounds, SJSU fueled its success in all three rounds with consistent play across the board.
The team fired its lowest round of the week was on Tuesday, a 269 (-15), which helped it climb to the sixth spot.
After capping off a productive fall, the Spartans will have a break before resuming play on Jan. 26-28 for the Southwestern Intercollegiate at North Ranch Country club in Westlake Village, Calif.
