Golf: Cruz Valle Tabs Third Top 5 of Fall at ASU Fall Beach Classic

Jeff Schneider, November 5, 2013

Contact: Jeff Schneider
 
GULF SHORES, Ala. – Freshman standout Fernando Cruz Valle continued his hot start with the Ragin’ Cajuns golf team on Tuesday finishing inside the top 5 for the third time in four events this fall with a second place finish at the ASU Fall Beach Classic played at the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club Marsh Lakes Course.
 
Cruz Valle carded the lowest round of the day posting a 69 (-3) to finish the tournament with a score of 4-under par (212). The finish is the best of the season for Cruz Valle, finishing in a tie for third at the David Toms Intercollegiate and a tie for fifth at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate.
 
"What a way for Fernando to close out his fall campaign," head coach Theo Sliman said. "Minus a mishap at Missouri, he has been in contention at every tournament we have played. He is extremely comfortable in that position. That’s going to help him down the road."
 
As a team, Louisiana placed in fourth with score of 16-over (880). The Cajuns had a final round score of 9-over (297).
 
"Conditions were tough today," Sliman mentioned. "The winds were howling and really tested the guys mentally. I am a little disappointed in the collective group today. We need to mature mentally in this off-season. I take responsibility for this performance.
 
"I haven’t held the team accountable for the standard that I know this group is capable of playing," Sliman added. "I have the upmost belief that we have not seen these guys play to their caliber. Our team has a lot of potential."
 
West Florida swept the team and individual tournament titles. The Argonauts had a three-round score of 4-over (868). ULM (12, 876), Memphis (14, 878), Louisiana (16, 880) and Arkansas State (19, 883) rounded out the top five teams at the event.
 
Esteban Castro of UWF claimed the individual title with his third consecutive round under par carding a score of two-under to hold off Cruz Valle with a final score of 6-under (210).
 
Sophomore Thomas Strandemo tallied his first top 25 finish of the year and second of his career placing in a tie for 18th at 6-over (222). Christian Verrougstraete also notched a top 25 performance in his third straight tournament finishing in a tie for 24th at 8-over par (224).
 
Ross Davis and Haraldur Magnus rounded out the scoring for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Davis moved up five spots on the day to place in a tie for 33rd at 10-over (226), while Magnus finished in a tie for 36th at 11-over (227).
 
"The chemistry on this team is great," Sliman stated. "We just need to clean up a few things come spring time. If we can do that, I see us doing great things."
 
The squad returns to action on Feb. 10-11 in San Antonio, Texas at the Oak Hill Invitational hosted by UTSA.