Nov. 9, 2005

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Utah State's Preston Otte recorded his best finish of the year tying for ninth place individually as he led the Aggies' golf team to a fifth place finish out of 14 teams at the Countrywide Home Loans Invitational here Tuesday.

USU opened the tournament by firing a team-best 295, placing them second overall after the first 18 holes. The Aggies' then shot a 302 and 299 in the second and third rounds respectively to drop to fifth place overall at 896.

The Holy Names College held their opening day lead by firing a final round 294 to finish at 879, ten shots ahead of second place Cal State San Marcos and UCLA. Holy Names' Charles Chae shot a tournament-best 66 and won medalist honors finishing at 211.

Otte fired a 75-73-74--222 and was USUs top finisher for the second time this season. Brendon Ehlers sandwiched a 74 between rounds of 75 to finish tied for 12th place, giving him his third straight top-20 finish. Jake Blair carded a career-best 69 in the opening round and recorded his best finish of the season by tying for 20th overall.

Jared Humphries shot a first-round 84 but bounced back with rounds of 75 and 73 finishing tied for 36th at 232. Brett Black finished tied for 48th at 235. This marks the second straight time that all five Aggie golfers finished in the top 50 individually.

The tournament marks the end of the Aggies men's golf fall season.

Team Leaders

1. The Holy Names College 296-289-294--879 2. CSU San Marcos 298-288-303--889 3. UCLA 301-296-292--889 4. Pacific 300-296-298--894 5. UTAH STATE 295-302-299--896

Individual Leaders

1. Charles Chae, Holy Names College 73-66-72--211 2. Kevin Chappell, UCLA 72-73-70--215

Utah State Individuals

t9. Preston Otte 75-73-74--222 t12. Brendon Ehlers 75-74-75--224 t20. Jake Blair 69-81-77--227 t36. Jared Humphries 84-75-73--232 t48. Brett Black 76-80-79--235