FAIRFAX, Calif. –– The New Mexico men’s golf team capped the fall portion of its schedule history on Tuesday with the final round of the Alister MacKenzie Invitational at the Meadow Club. Bastien Amat captured his second career collegiate title as the Lobos posted a runner-up finish as a team.
Amat shot a season-best 7-under 64 in the final round to finish the event at 16-under, tying for the individual title. His total of 197 (68-65-64) was the second-lowest 54-hole total in UNM history and the best in over 50 years, eclipsed only by Joe McDermott’s 194 total as the 1965 Sun Devil Invitational.
The Lobos shot 9-under in the final round to finish at 36-under, earning runner-up honors behind host Cal (51-under). New Mexico’s 36-under total was the second-lowest in program history, only bettered by the 42-under UNM shot at last year’s NCAA Salem Regional. The three lowest 54-hole totals in New Mexico history have now come in their last seven events, dating back to last year’s Mountain West Championship (35-under).
“I am really proud of the way the guys played this week,” said head coach Jake Harrington. “We had 11 of the 12 counting rounds under par. I’m extremely proud of Bastien, finishing by birdying two of his last three holes to shoot 64 and win the tournament. The way we finished these last two events gives us a lot of confidence and momentum heading into the spring season.”
Albert Boneta shot in the 60s in all three rounds of the event, going 69-67-67 to finish the tournament T-11th at 10-under. Carson Herron had a final round 69 on Tuesday, while Matthew Watkins shot 75 and Alvaro Portillo rounded out the lineup with a 76.
The Lobos, who had a title when hosting the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate along with the runner-up finish at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational, had two top-two finishes in their four fall events. They open the spring season Jan. 29-30 with the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson, Ariz.
