SANTA ROSA — The Stanislaus State men's golf team earned a top-five finish Tuesday in its first competition of the 2021-22 season – and its first competition in 18 months – placing fifth at the season-opening Sonoma State Men's Invitational at the Valley of the Moon Club.
 
Stanislaus State totaled 870 (+30) over the three-round tournament to finish fifth. The Warriors beat five other NCAA Division II West Region teams, including California Collegiate Athletic Conference members Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State East Bay. They were only four strokes off of second-place and host Sonoma State (866), and just two strokes behind Chico State and 2019 CCAA Champion Cal State Monterey Bay (868).
 
The Warriors placed two individuals in the top-10 and three in the top-25. Michael Jura led the way individually for Stan State, shooting even par (210) across the three-round tournament to place fifth overall. He shot a one-under 69 in Monday morning's first round, then came back in round two with an even-par 70 in the afternoon. He closed the tournament in Tuesday's final round with a one-over 71. Jura had the second-most pars in the tournament (40) and was tied for third in average scoring on par 3s (2.92).
 
Chris Ebster placed 10th with a three-round score of five-over 215. He sandwiched an even-par 70 in round two between rounds of 72 and 73 in the first and third rounds, respectively. Brad Sparrer was the Warriors' third player among the top-25, finishing 21st with a 10-over tournament score of 220 (74-73-73). Sparrer led the Warriors with nine total birdies in the tournament.
 
Tim Sauer rounded out the Warriors' team scoring, tying for 54th after shooting 231 (+21) over three rounds. He opened the tournament with a 14-over 84, but recovered to improve his score by double-digit strokes in round two, shooting a 72. Armaan Sahota placed 63rd with a tournament score of 233 (78-78-77).