BURNABY, B.C. -- Ryan Hodgins has put together an excellent start to the spring NCAA men's golf season. The freshman tied for second place at Division I California Baptist's The Joust, the first tournament of the 2022 calendar year for Simon Fraser. 

With a 54-hole score of 2-over 215, he finished a shot out of top spot. The leader by a stroke after yesterday's two rounds, Hodgins fired a 3-over 74 today at the Goose Creek Golf Club (6,735 yards and par 71) in Jurupa Valley, California. His round included four birdies.

"It was a fantastic finish for Hodgins, he played phenomenal golf, especially in such difficult conditions," remarked SFU head coach Matthew Steinbach. "He managed his flight and spin extremely well and didn't try to battle the wind. Ryan played smart, picked great targets, and managed his game well.

"Very happy for him to earn a second-place finish on NCAA D II day. If he continues to play smart golf like he did in this event, he'll put himself in position to win many times."

Simon Fraser placed 13th on the team leaderboard at 55-over 907. Today, the squad posted a result of 23-over 307, after scores of 301 and 299 on Monday.

Sophomore Michael Crisologo tied for 62nd at 17-over 230 (78-74-78). He finished his tournament with a 7-over 78.

Bailey Bjornson carded his best round of the event today, recording two birdies and a 5-over 76. The freshman placed 67th with a 20-over 233 (78-79-76).
 

Junior Ryan Stolys tied for 68th, completing the event in 234 shots (21-over). He birdied the par-5 12th hole as part of an 8-over round of 79. Stolys shot 79 and 76 Monday.

Jordan Bean also got a birdie at No. 12 on the final day. The junior signed for a 15-over 86, and tied for 80th individually at 27-over 240 (74-80-86).

"Overall conditions were incredibly difficult," said Steinbach. "Winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour, a 2-4 club wind; very fast greens running at 13 on the stimp, and championship-level hole locations that tested all parts of your game. We won't have firm and fast conditions like that in BC in mid-summer. It was clear we have work to do in order to compete at that level.

"By playing a Division I event to start the spring, it gives us a chance to get some high-quality competition right off the get go. We will learn from this week and be better when we return to D II action."

Simon Fraser's next tournament will be the Poppy Ridge Invitational, hosted by fellow GNAC program Northwest Nazarene, March 7-8 in Livermore, California.

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