One consistent thing about golf is inconsistency; each round of golf features different strategies, pin positions and even mentalities. For San Diego State men’s golf, changes in course setup and playing conditions from round to round hindered the team’s performance at the R.E. Lamkin Invitational at San Diego Country Club (SDCC) on March 9 and 10.
Typically, when a college golf program hosts a tournament, they have a slight advantage over the rest of the field. However, because the co-hosting Aztecs have not played at SDCC since last year’s R.E. Lamkin Invitational and the tournament’s other co-host, the University of San Diego, set up the course, the added advantage of hosting was almost nonexistent. Coincidentally, USD went on to win the tournament; setting tee boxes and pins clearly provided a massive edge.
SDSU men’s golf has not had its membership at SDCC since the 2024 Lamkin Invitational, forcing the more experienced Aztecs to lead the charge, both on the course and in their knowledge. Senior co-captains Tyler Kowack and Chanachon Chokprajakchat had the spotlight on them all tournament long.
Chokprajakchat stepped up to the plate, finishing under par in all three rounds and placing second in par-4 scoring. His 9-under total score was good enough for a third-place finish.
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Unfortunately for Kowack, he did not match his fellow co-captain’s performance. Despite a 1-under opening round, back-to-back rounds of 3-over and 2-over, respectively, hindered the experienced senior’s final college tournament at SDCC.
“[The course] got firmer as the week went on,” Kowack explained. “It is my fourth year here, so I knew that was going to be the case; [my] execution was not there. It got firmer, greens were fast and the pins were tucked, per usual, but we expected that.”
Like Kowack, the rest of the Aztecs were able to capitalize on the first round’s tame conditions, firing their lowest team score for the tournament in the opening round. The Aztecs combined for a 9-under first-round total score, placing them in second place as the morning wave commenced.
However, as Kowack said, SDCC firmed up, and the pins got increasingly difficult, halting the Aztecs’ initial success. Head coach Ryan Donovan touched on a variety of reasons as to why his squad limped its way home, including the importance of being in the fairway off the tee.
“The rough was definitely spongy and [it was] hard to dictate how the shots were going to come out,” Donovan said. “I think the biggest thing for us was hitting fairways, and we just missed some fairways in spots where you need to play your approach shot from the fairway.”
Donovan also spoke about his team’s inability to take advantage of SDCC’s par-5 scoring opportunities consistently. SDSU finished seventh in par-5 scoring for the tournament, 15 shots behind St. Mary’s College, which led the Lamkin Invitational in par-5 scoring at 29-under-par.
Both Kowack and Donovan also acknowledged the importance of ball striking, especially at SDCC. Golfers who have success around the course must leave themselves good angles into greens because of the undulation and tricky lies one can find themselves in.
“I think [the course] favors a smart golfer, someone who can control their ball flight,” Kowack stated. “There are some tough pins. I think someone that is very disciplined and can execute those approach shots will see success out here.”
In his first collegiate tournament at SDCC, Aztecs sophomore and California transfer Kai Hirayama had the second-best tournament finish for his team, carding a 4-under-par final score. Excellent driving and precise ball striking served Hirayama well as he maneuvered his way through SDCC.
“I feel like he is a ball-striker, and that is a golf course that benefits ball striking,” Donovan said. “He is kind of a gamer at this point. I am excited to see how good he can actually get. He’s trending in the right direction and is just a great guy for our team right now.”
A fifth-place, 13-under-par team finish for SDSU in its only home tournament of the season was not ideal in the slightest, but the strong play from Chokprajakchat and Hirayama is something to build upon.
The Aztecs have a quick turnaround as they head north to Pauma Valley Country Club, another course that Donovan described as a ball-striker’s golf course. The Pauma Valley Invitational is a three-day tournament, beginning on Monday.