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

ASU Fall Beach Classic Final Results

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 24^th 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.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

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

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