The UC Santa Barbara Golf team wrapped up their season with a sixth-place showing in The Big West Championships. It was the Gauchos’ best finish since 2020-21 when they placed fifth in the Championship.
Dylan Ma was the highest finisher for the Gauchos with a nine-under-par over the three rounds, finishing in solo second.
“I am proud of the guys and how they rebounded after the first day,” said UCSB head coach Chris Massoletti. “Dylan Ma played outstanding. This group continued to get better every week and it showed up this tournament. The future is bright for UC Santa Barbara Golf.”
Round 1
In the opening round of the 2025 Big West Championships, the Gauchos ended the day with a 297 (+9) as a team. Ryan Gay carded the lowest round for Santa Barbara with an even par, 72. Freshman Dylan Ma followed closely behind with a one-over, 73.
The back nine of the course gave the Gauchos fits. After three student-athletes finished the front nine, even or under par, no Gaucho finished under par on the second nine.
Round 2
In round two, the Gaucho improved their score by 15 strokes and jumped up five spots in the standings. It was a birdie fest for the Gauchos on the front nine, as a team they made 12 total. Eight of those came from Dylan Ma and Matt Monheim.
Monheim, after making five straight pars to open his round, ended the front nine with four straight birdies. Ma played the first two holes at even par before he strung together four straight birdies as well.
The Gauchos took advantage of the weather and went low, shooting the third best score of the day finishing behind No. 22 Long Beach by one stroke and leaders Cal State Fullerton by two. As they headed into the final day the Gauchos sat in a tie for sixth place.
Round 3
In the final round of the championship the Gauchos shot a one under, 289 which kept them level at sixth place for the Championship. Dylan Ma carded a six under, 66 to move up four spots in the individual rankings and finish solo second.
The second-place finish earned him a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Four of the five Gauchos carded even or better on the opening nine holes in the final round. Ma’s six under performance was second best on the day, the second straight day he recorded a top five score.
The sixth-place finish is the best finish for the Gauchos since their fifth place finish in the 2020-21 season and the best finish under Head Coach Chris Massoletti.
Dylan Ma is the first Gaucho since 2019 to be named to the All-Tournament team and the highest finisher since Brandon Bauman finished T1 in 2018.
The Gauchos finished fourth in the field in par 3 scoring and made the fifth most birdies of any team.
Jack Watters tied for fifth in par 3 scoring playing them even par through all three rounds.
Nick Waldock and Jack Watters each finished inside the top 10 fo total pars in the tournament.