BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The UC San Diego men's golf team wrapped up its first tournament of the 2009-10 season on Tuesday, finishing 10th out of 14 teams at the 38th annual Western Washington Invitational at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club. The Tritons had their best round of the tournament in the third a final round, shooting a 299 to finish with a 54-hole total of 912.

Dixie State, which was in fifth place and 10 shots behind leader British Columbia following the first two rounds, fired a 13-under par 275 -- the best round of the tournament -- to win by four strokes at 855. The Thunderbirds finished second at 859, following a 289 in Tuesday's final round.

Chico State, which entered the final round four strokes off the lead, placed third at 861 (287), while host Western Washington finished at 866 (284) to hold off fifth place Hawaii-Hilo at 867 (286).

Sophomore Michael Tilghman was UCSD's top finisher in the 6,561-yard, par 72 course, finishing in a tie for 35th place after shooting a 75 on Tuesday. His two-day total of 223 was two shots better than teammate Keith Okasaki, who carded an even, 72 in the final round to finish with a share of 41st place.   

Raj Samra finished with a third round score of 75 to finish with a two-day total of 220, while Michael Neustadt tallied a score of 238 for the tournament following his best round, a 77 on Tuesday.

Kyle Chappell led Dixie State's charge, firing a 7-under, 65 to share medalist honors with teammate Cameron Crawford at 208. Crawford shot a 3-under, 69 on Tuesday. Chico State's Kyle Souza, who was tied for first after 36 holes, placed third at 209 (71), one shot ahead of Cal State Stanislaus' Teddy Schrier, who finished fourth at 210 (69).  

The Tritons are back in action October 12-13 when they compete in the Chico State Invitational, before wrapping up their fall schedule with the Sonoma State Invite October 19-20.