September 24, 2005

TUMWATER, WA—In their season debut, Saint Martin’s University was edged by Western Washington University in today’s final round of the first-ever Saint Martin’s University Invitational Men’s Golf Tournament held at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course.

Western, ranked No.5 in the latest Golf Coaches Association of America/NCAA Division II Top 25, shot an 8-under par 276 to finish with a 54-hole total of 860. With four players shooting par or below, the nationally ranked Vikings overcame a two-stroke, first-day deficit to take the lead from the Saints. Host Saint Martin’s, the first-day leader, placed second at 866 (284) and No.2-ranked Cal State Bakersfield was third in the nine-team field at 876 (291).

“Of course we’re disappointed that we couldn’t hold onto the lead, but Western played extremely well, shooting 8 under par as a team,” said Saints coach Kurt Kageler. “We played solid golf, we shot even par, it just wasn’t enough.”

Saint Martin’s two-time All-American Shane Prante took medalist honors finishing with a 14-under 199 to win by 10 strokes, firing a 5-under par with a 66 in the final round.

Prante entered the National Tournament last season as the highest ranked golfer in NCAA Div. II with a 71.23 average. Prante is the only Div. II golfer in history to be nationally ranked #1 by Golfstat. He was honored with his second All-America selection by the Golf Coaches of America Association last season.

“He (Prante) did everything he could to help his team win this week-end. He proved that he is back on the road to his third All-America nomination and being the best golfer in the country,” said Kageler. “I feel privileged to coach such a great young man and a player of his stature.”

The Saints travel to Bellingham tomorrow to compete in the 34th annual Viking Invitational on Monday (8:30 a.m.) and Tuesday (8:30 a.m.) at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

“I’m hoping that we can return the favor by beating them (Western) on their home course,” said Kageler.