By Kaila Morales |Staff Writer|

The seven member CSUSB Men’s Golf team started the week off with the Coyote Classic annual home tourney.

The two day event from Feb. 22-23 was hosted in north San Bernardino at Arrowhead Country Club.

The Coyotes took on 54 holes, battling against 11 other schools, which included CSU East Bay, Sonoma State, Dixie State University, Northeastern State, UC San Diego, Stanislaus State, Northwood U. MI, Redlands, Regis, CSU Dominguez Hills, and La Verne.

On the first day of the tournament, Taylor Hood led the Coyotes with a team-best; 4-under 67 in the second round of play.

Greg Robarge dealt out rounds of 68 and 75 on the par-71 course and sat in fifth place, while Hood came back from an opening-round 79 with a 67 and tied for ninth.

“We didn’t win, we got third which is an okay showing, but we have more potential than that. I’m just looking forward to playing good golf in the future, and representing the team as we deserve to be represented,” said Robarge.

Jake Meloche tied for 14th place with five others at 6 over 148 with rounds of 75 and 73.

Brandon Steffins tied at 29 (152).

Coyotes ended the first day of the tournament tied for third against Dixie State at 586 shots.

The second day, Coyotes came back even stronger as they secured the spot for the second-best overall team in the final round of the Coyote Classic.

Coyotes ranked third overall in the team leader board for the two day 54-hole event.

The Coyotes snagged an 871 (293-293-285), finishing seven hits behind Sonoma State’s 864, who took the first place overall, and a just a point behind East Bay, who came in second place with a total of 870.

Dixie State, who battled the Coyotes neck and neck, took fourth place with a total of 877.

Leading the way for the Coyotes was yet again Hood and Robarge.

Robarge placed fourth at 1-over-par 214 (68-75-71), while Hood was seventh at 3-over 216 (79-67-70).

“Going into the second round, I was going to do everything I could to help us climb back up the leader board. In the final round, we all knew we were right in the thick of it, and if we could go out there and play our game, we could catch the lead,” said Hood.

“We fought hard and feel good going into the next event,” added Hood.

Meloche clinched a top-15 finish at T15 (75-73-72_220) and Steffins earned T22 (74-78-72). Also competing for the Coyotes as individuals were Coats (T49) and Toribio (T42)

Coyotes will face second place contender East Bay in the Pioneer Shootout in a two day event on Feb. 29-March 1 in Vallejo at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club.