CHOUDRANT, La. — Behind top-five finishes from Hunter Bott and Christian Fanfelle, the UTSA men's golf team finished second at the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate, which wrapped up Tuesday at Squire Creek Country Club (par 72/7,105 yards).
Bott claimed sole possession of fourth place with a 7-under-par 209 while Fanfelle was one shot back in a tie for fifth at 6-under 210 to lead the Roadrunners to the runner-up showing. UTSA carded a 16-under 848 (290-272-286) — tied for the seventh-best 54-hole score in program history — to finish three shots ahead of Southern Miss (851) and six in front of host Louisiana Tech (854) in the 21-team field. LSU claimed the team crown with a 23-under 841.
"I was really proud of the effort our team gave this week," said head coach John Knauer, who guided the Roadrunners to their first NCAA postseason appearance last spring. "To go 19-1 on the week against great teams is fantastic. LSU showed today why they are a top-10 team, but we went toe-to-toe with them all week and didn't flinch. That will pay off huge down the road."
Bott's week was highlighted by a 7-under 65 on Monday and the junior from Montgomery followed that with a 2-under 70 in the final round on the strength of four birdies. He ended up with 14 birdies for the tournament in recording the top 54-hole score and finish of his collegiate career.
Fanfelle posted three consecutive 2-under 70s in the first event of his senior season, ending up with his top finish and 54-hole scorecard as a Roadrunner. The two-time all-conference performer from San Antonio wrote down four birdies in his final round and matched Bott with a team-best 14 for the week.
"Top-five finishes from Hunter Bott and Christian Fanfelle was great to see," Knauer said. "They worked hard over the summer and it showed this week. Now we get to host 12 teams at our home course. This battle this week will have us ready to challenge for a win next week."
Making his collegiate debut, Jack Wehman posted a 1-under 215 to grab a share of 21st place. The Austin native had three birdies in his final-round 75 after opening the tournament with a 73-67—140.
David Harrison finished in a tie for 28th after turning in a 1-over 217. The Trophy Club, Texas, native closed out his week with a 74 to follow rounds of 73 and 70.
Michael Rome posted an even-par 72 that was highlighted by a pair of birdies and an eagle on the 546-yard, par-5 ninth hole. The senior from Austin bounced back from a 79 with a 73 on Monday and ended up in a tie for 66th (224).
The Roadrunners will return home to host the Lone Star Invitational on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 20-21, at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course.
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