Men's Golf | 4/10/2024 12:14:00 AM

Utah Tech closed out its regular season slate with a 12^th-place finish at the UC Santa Barbara Gaucho Invitational, which was played on Monday and Tuesday at the Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara, Calif. 

After opening with a solid 3-over par 291 on their opening loop on Monday morning, the Trailblazers struggled during their afternoon round, which ended with Utah Tech carding a 22-over 310. Utah Tech bounced back in a big way on Tuesday, closing with a combined 1-over 289, but the Blazers could make up any ground on the field. 
 
Nevada (275-281-277-833; -31) held off a late charge by runner-up Loyola Marymount (287-277-272-836; -28) to claim the team title, while Utah (283-281-280-844; 20) placed third.
 
Freshman KJ Ofahengaue led the Trailblazer effort as he posted his first collegiate top-20 individual finish. Ofahengaue opened with a 1-under 71, then after a 5-over 77 in round two, the freshman closed with a collegiate career-low 5-under 67 on Tuesday to finish in a five-way tie for 20^th at minus-1 215.
 
Fifth-year senior Tyler Jones bookended a pair of even-par 72s around a second round 8-over 80 to finish tied with three others for 46^th at plus-8 224. Sophomore Zach Felts (74-79-73) followed in t-55^th at plus-10 226, while freshman Bode Salas (74-76-80) tied for 63^rd at plus-14 230, and senior Camron Saunders (79-78-77) finished in solo 70^th at plus-18 234.  

Utah Tech will wrap up the season at the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Men's Golf Championships, which will be held April 26-28, at The Golf Club at Chaparral Pines in Payson, Ariz.