Fall 2021 Otter Invitational (Rounds 1 & 2)

SEASIDE, Calif. – Playing in a crowded field of 15 teams at the Otter Invitational, Academy of Art men's golf was able to put themselves in a good position as a team after the opening round, but would end the second round of action in 11th place at 41-over-par 617 despite sophomore Beau Willett tying for 15th place at 6-over-par 150. 

It was a tale of two rounds on the day for the Urban Knights, as the squad combined for a 12-over-par 300 in the opening round, putting them in a tie for fourth. The day's second set of 18 wasn't quite as kind although ART U was able to complete their round before the action was called due to darkness. The Knights combined for a 29-over-par 317, dropping four spots. Fellow Pacific West Conference member Holy Names sits directly in front of ART U in 10th place by just two strokes at 39-over-par 615. 

Willett put himself in individual title contention after his opening round of even-par 72, finding three birdies as he ended the round near the top of the leaderboard. While he would drop a few spots by the end of the second round after only carding one birdie, Willett remains the top golfer from the PacWest by a wide margin. Tying for 39th place was junior Matthew Watkins, the PacWest Golfer of the Week, sitting at 11-over-par 155 and needing a strong round while seeking his second consecutive tournament win. Also scoring for ART U was freshman Ralph Kho, trailing Watkins by one stroke in a tie for 48th place at 12-over-par 156. 

Due to round two's suspension due to darkness, tomorrow's action will start with the conclusion of the second round before the Knights get their chance to tee off for the final 18 holes of the Otter Invitational.