Par. Par. Bogey. Bogey. Par. Bogey. It wasn't the start Matt Hutchins imagined for his collegiate golf career. Turns out, it wouldn't be the finish he likely expected either, though it may be something like he dreamed about.
Chico State's true freshman golfer from Sudbury, Mass., bounced back from his rocky start on Monday to shoot 10-under par for the rest of the three-round NCAA Division II National Preview and finish in a tie for second place, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team and Wildcat of the Week honors.
Hutchins finished 1-under par Monday morning, posted a pair of eagles in Monday afternoon's round to shoot 4-under, and then carded five birdies in Tuesday's final round to shoot 3-under and finish the tournament 7-under par, just two shots behind medalist and teammate Alistair Docherty.
Hutchins was one of only four players to log two eagles in the tournament and finished 7-under par on the par-5 holes.
Hutchins' performance was especially satisfying because of the strength of the field, which included seven of the top 11 teams in the Bushnell Golfweek Preseason Division II Coaches Poll.
Hutchins and the Wildcats continued their tour of postseason courses Monday and Tuesday at the NCAA DII West/South Central Regional Championship Preview at the New Mexico State University Golf Course in Las Cruces, N.M.
