ALBUQUERQUE, NM – University of New Mexico sophomore golfer and co-champion of the 2016 National Invitational Tournament Gustavo Morantes has been named the Mountain West men’s golfer of the week.
The honor takes into consideration tournament finishes tallied between Feb. 28 and March 1. This is Morantes’ first career MW golfer of the week/month honor, in addition to being the first MW honor earned by UNM as a team this season.
The individual crown of the NIT at the OMNI Tucson National Course in Tucson, Arizona was is Morantes’ first collegiate victory and third straight top-20 finish this Spring.
Morantes, a native of Caracas, Venezuela tied for meadlist honors at the NIT, along with Nick Voke of Iowa State at 11-under 205 (67-70-68). The 11-under mark is the lowest cumulative tournament score of any Lobos this season, just edging out the 10-under 206 posted by Andre Bevins on his way to being crowned champion of the William H. Tucker’s 2015 installment.
On his way to recording a bogey-free 4-under 68 in the NIT’s final round, Morantes was in need of a birdie on the 72nd hole in order to tie for the individual tournament title. Standing 180 yards from the pin, he flushed his approach to 15 feet and sank the birdie putt.
UNM head coach Glen Millican saw this honor as nothing but positive, for both he and his team,
“Great recognition for his play in Tucson, he’s doing a good job and has played some good golf to start this semester.”
Millican and his Lobo squad are now well on the way to another great season. On the year, UNM now has a tournament title and two individual medalists to it’s credit. During the Fall season, UNM was crowned champion of the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate for the fourth consecutive year. In the same tournament, Andre Bevins was crowned the medalist.
Gustavo Morantes was humbled, but still sees room for improvement to build on last year’s performance at the upcoming San Diego Classic.
“This means a lot to me and I’m looking forward for the next tournament in San Diego, last year we had a disappointing final round and this year I’m sure it’s going to be better.”
Gustavo Morantes Named MW Golfer of the Week
