If you’re going to make your debut, you might as well start out big. That was exactly the kind of performance junior college transfer Justin Wiles delivered in his first event as a member of the Chico State men’s golf team, earning a share of third place on the individual leaderboard and helping the Wildcats finish second overall during the Golfweek D-II Fall Invitational in Sunriver, Ore. For his efforts, the sophomore from Klamath Falls has also wrapped up Wildcat of the Week honors.
Wiles, who carded rounds of 77-76-71, finished the tournament with a score of eight-over par 224, and was one of four Wildcats that finished in the top 15 in the 75-player field. Finishing just outside the top 10 following Monday’s first two rounds, Wiles saved his best for last, firing a 1-under par 71 to key the ’Cats’ 6-over 294 during Tuesday’s final round – seven shots better than any other team on the final 18 and the second best round of the 54-hole event.
Wiles is the latest success story in Head Coach T.L. Brown’s unerring recruiting efforts. Wiles brings his considerable skills to Chico following a year at Southwestern Oregon Community College, where he earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2012 and helped the Lakers capture the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) Championship.
The Chico State men’s golf team is back in action this week, hosting the InterWest Insurance Wildcat Classic at Sevillano Links in Corning.
