MARICOPA, Ariz.- University of Idaho men's golf saved its best for last in the Southern Dunes Invitational at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. The Vandals shot a final-round 305 Sunday, for its best single-round team score of the tournament, but could not climb the leaderboard. Idaho finished 10th with a 923 (306-312-305). Junior Klaus Ganter led the way at 11-over (74-78-75=227) and finished in a tie for 44th individually.

"I think our results had to do with missing greens and, more importantly, where we missed," said head coach David Nuhn. "Sometimes we may have been too aggressive and we weren't as strategic as we needed to be. The greens were as firm as we've seen, so we needed to be diligent about where we were laying up and where we were landing it. Out guys need to be more aware of what the golf course is giving them. Hopefully these experiences give us that wakeup call."
 
Ganter's first-round 74 Saturday, was Idaho's best individual score of the tournament. It also matches the best round of Ganter's career and at 2-over is his lowest score to par as a Vandal. The 227 total score is also a career-best for Ganter and tying for 44th is his best finish.

"I think Klaus' low-trajectory style of play suited this course," Nuhn said. "After the practice round he said he felt really comfortable, so he came in with a great attitude. I think that was a big asset for him. That should be an important lesson to the rest of the team. Bringing confidence and a positive attitude will lend itself to success, rather than approaching a tournament or a course with pessimism and hesitation."

Enrique Marin continued his steady play for the Vandals. Marin finished two strokes behind Ganter at 13-over (77-77-75=229) in a tie for 52nd. Marin's 77 was Idaho's best second-round score and he matched Ganter for low honors in the final round with a 75. Marin's final round started with a triple and two bogeys on the first three holes, but he rebounded with three birdies and finished with seven consecutive pars.

"We're going to get back to work and attack those weaknesses," said Nuhn. "If that's mentally getting into the shot the right way, or physically executing in different conditions, we'll go after it and prove that we're here to compete."
 
The Vandals conclude their fall schedule Oct. 29-31, at the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational in Princeville, Hawaii.
 
Team Results (Par 72)
10. 59 (306-312-305=923)
Individual Results (Par 72)
T-44. Klaus Ganter, 11 (74-78-75=227)
T-52. Enrique Marin, 13 (77-77-75=229)
T-56. Hayden Ritter, 14 (75-78-77=230)
T-61. Cole Chrisman, 23 (80-81-78=239)
63. Adam Veenstra, DNF (84-79-/)