Redlands second at nationals with 18 holes left

With one round left to play in the NCAA Division III tournament at Chateau Elon, the University of Redlands golf team is in a familiar position – second.

The Bulldogs qualified for the event in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and finished as national runner-up on all three occasions.

The first two times the Bulldogs were far enough back they didn’t have a chance to win. But now they’re ready to shed the bridesmaid label.

“We’re in it to win it,” Redlands coach Art Salvesen said. “We are right where we need to be. It’s all up to us on the final day.”

St. John Fisher (893) remains in first place with Redlands (897) next. It had started the day eight strokes out but shot a 293, its best round of the tournament while St. John Fisher shot a 297.

The Bulldogs steady twosome of Ross Canavan and E.J. Stenftenagel led the way. Canavan (220) shot an even par-71 for the day and is tied for fourth place individually while Stenftenagel (222), the lone holdover from the runner-up team in 2006, managed a 2-over 73 and is tied for ninth.

The Bulldogs No. 5 man also came up with a clutch performance. Alex Hedlund bounced back back from an opening-day 83 to post the second-best score on his team the last two days, including a 72 Thursday.

“He (Hedlund) was the key for us,” Salvesen said. “We know we have two guys that are going to right around par but he gave us a big lift today.

Also checking in for the Bulldogs were Scott Pena (80-234) and J.C. Riter (77-234).

The University of La Verne, which led by 10 strokes after the first day, is tied for seventh after a 298 for a 54-hole total of 911.

Rizal Amin, Chris Davis and Mitchell Fedorka (227) are part of a five-way tie for 27th with Fedorka boasting the Leos bestr round of the day – a 1-under 70. Rounding out the scoring are Andrew Kramer (79-232), Jordan Talah (78-238) and

Share this

Plusone Twitter Facebook Tumblr Reddit Stumbleupon Email