HOUSTON — Behind top-20 finishes from Hunter Bott and Christian Fanfelle, the No. 26-ranked UTSA men's golf team placed fifth at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic, which wrapped up on Tuesday at Westwood Golf Club (par 72/7,184 yards).
Bott and Fanfelle finished in a tie for 16th place at 2-under-par 214 to help lead the Roadrunners to their second straight top-five showing. UTSA fired a 10-under 854 that was bookended by a pair of 8-under 280s to finish 11 shots ahead of Abilene Christian and 12 in front of No. 42 Arkansas State in the 17-team field. The Roadrunners ended up only three strokes behind a tie for third between No. 49 Houston and Louisiana.
Fanfelle carded a 4-under 68 that featured eight birdies, including five on a six-hole stretch on the front nine where he posted a 5-under 31, to lead UTSA on the final day of the 54-hole tournament. The junior all-conference performer bettered his season low round by one shot after opening with a 71-75—146 on Monday, and he led the team with 16 birdies for the week, the third-highest total in the field.
Bott registered the top finish of his young UTSA career by grabbing a share of 16th with a 2-under 214, his best 54-hole tally as a Roadrunner. After starting the event with a 3-under 69, which matched his collegiate career best, the sophomore from Montgomery posted a 74 on Monday afternoon before turning in his second red number with a 1-under 71 behind a trio of birdies, giving him 12 for the tournament.
Collin Clark was one shot back in a tie for 22nd at 1-under 215. The senior from Mansfield matched Bott with a 1-under 71 on Tuesday that was headlined by his tournament-best third eagle of the week, a 3 on the 560-yard, par-5 sixth hole. Clark, who won this event two years ago, posted a 2-under 70 in the first round before a 74 on Monday afternoon.
Chad Sewell recorded an even-par 216 to settle into a tie for 27th place. The Conroe native posted his second 2-under 70 of the week in the final round on the strength of four birdies, three as part of a 34 on the front side.
Michael Rome trailed Sewell by only one shot, as the Austin Westlake High School product secured a share of 34th with a 1-over 217. He bounced back from a 74 in the opening round with a 1-under 71 on Monday afternoon and then wrapped up the tournament with an even-par 72 that was highlighted by four birdies.
Sam Houston captured the team title with a 29-under 835 behind individual medalist Paul Chaplet's 14-under 202 (69-70-63).
The Roadrunners will have a short break before traveling to Bryan for the Aggie Invitational on Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, at Traditions Club.
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