VANCOUVER – Logan Carver added his name to the UBC golf record book today with a spectacular performance in the final round of the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship in Mesa, Ariz.
Carver, a junior from Calgary, finished as one of two runners-up in the individual competition, and earned a place on the All-Tournament team. He shot a 5-under par 66 in Friday's final round, birdieing the last three holes to put himself into a three-man, sudden-death playoff, which was eventually won by Coastal Georgia's Mark Johnson on the first hole with a birdie. Carver's opening tee shot in the playoff flew left and was never found. Alec Dutkowski of Taylor (Ind.) also had to take a penalty stroke in the playoff.
UBC finished tied for fifth in the team competition with South Carolina-Beaufort at 52-over 1,188 (305-290-300-293). The T-Birds moved up a spot after entering the day in sixth.
The three players all finished the event at 2-over 286. Carver had seven birdies in 18 holes Friday, including five without a bogey on the back nine. He had birdies on the first (par-4), third (par-4), 11th (par-3), 12th (par-4), 16th, 17th (par-4), and 18th (par-5) holes.
It all added up to the second-best round ever by a UBC golfer, both in terms of total score, and vs. par, in an NAIA men's championship. Blake Rowe-Sleeman's 8-under 64 in the second round of the 2008 tournament, which the Thunderbirds won, is the lowest score ever recorded by a UBC golfer at the national event.
Carver's second-place championship showing is tied for the best in UBC men's golf history. Both Lindsay Bernakevitch (2001) and Blake Rowe-Sleeman (2008) finished in solo second at the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship tournament.
His 286 total is also tied for the second-best 72-hole total in UBC history, and the best for a par-71 tournament.
In his final NAIA tournament, senior Andrew Harrison (Camrose, Alta.) tied for 16th at 10-over 294 (76-68-78-72). Harrison's last NAIA round was completed in 72 strokes at 1-over. It included birdies at the third, 13th (par-4), and 18th holes.
Senior Zahidali Nathu of Richmond, B.C., also competing in his last NAIA event, finished in a tie for 33rd place. His four-round score was 14-over 298 (76-73-71-78). On Friday, Nathu rounded out the championship with a 7-over 78, which included a birdie on the par-3 14th.
Ethan de Graaf (Edmonton) tied for 69th in his national championship debut at 30-over 314 (80-74-79-81). His round was highlighted by three birdies, on the 11th, 13th, and 14th holes.
Christopher Horton, a sophomore from Calgary, was one of two players who finished 83rd at 38-over 322 (83-79-83-77). Horton's 6-over 77 today was his best round of the tournament, with birdies on No. 2 and No. 18, both par-5 layouts.
UBC will complete the 2018-19 season, one of the most successful in program history, next weekend in Komoka, Ont., at the Golf Canada Canadian University/College Championship.
With six tournament triumphs this season, the T-Birds will be looking to break the NAIA-era school record. Harrison will have an opportunity to set an NAIA-era school record for wins in a season, and in a career.