BURNABY, B.C. – The Simon Fraser men's golf team returned to competition this week with a seventh-place result at the Rattler Invitational, Monday and Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas. The St. Mary's-hosted tournament was contested at the par-72, 6,937-yard Dominion Country Club.

The Red Leafs shot rounds of 308, 298 and 293 for a team total of 35-over-par 899. Cameron (Oklahoma) won with a score of 883, a stroke ahead of Dallas Baptist (Texas). 

"This was a good event for us," commented SFU head coach Matthew Steinbach. "We were tested on a tricky course in challenging conditions. It forced us to play at a higher level. We learned a lot and this will be important as we return to the West Coast. For many of our players who are looking at professional careers after SFU, they were exposed to different grasses, firm and fast conditions and strong gusty winds. There's just no way to replicate these conditions at home and as we learned at Regionals last year, we need to develop a game that travels. While our scores didn't reflect it, we played solidly and there were many positives to take away." 

Michael Crisologo of Richmond, B.C., was the highest-finishing Red Leaf, tying for 11th. The junior had rounds of 79 and 74 Monday before carding a 3-under 69 Tuesday to finish strong. He had four birdies in the final round. His overall score was 6-over 222, a dozen shots out of the lead. 

"A special shout-out to Michael, he carried himself well, managed his emotions, and dialed in his routine," said Steinbach. "Exciting to see his hard work paying off."

Sophomore Bailey Bjornson (Surrey, B.C.) tied for 23rd at 11-over 227. He recorded scores of 77 and 74 Monday before concluding with a 4-over 76. Bjornson and Crisologo led the Red Leafs with nine birdies each at the tournament.
 

Senior Aidan Goodfellow (Parksville, B.C.) was a shot back of Bjornson (12-over 228) in a tie for 27th. He had four birdies en route to a 1-over 73 Tuesday after opening with 77 and 78 yesterday. Goodfellow fired a half-dozen birdies at the event.  

Freshman Aneesh Kaura (Calgary) was one of eight players to place 32nd. He had rounds of 80, 72 and 77 to finish at 13-over 229.

Sophomore Ryan Hodgins (Medicine Hat, Alta.) made his season debut with a 45th-place result. He opened and closed with a 3-over 75, and had an 83 in Round 2. Hodgins and Kaura carded four birdies each over the course of the Rattler Invitational.

SFU's next tournament will be the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout Mar. 13-14 in Alameda, California.
 
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