SANTA ROSA, Calif. – The Chico State men’s golf team dominated the Sonoma State Invitational from start to finish and won by 14 strokes with a team score of 26-under par Tuesday. The ninth-ranked Wildcats not only defended the title they won there last season, but they did it against five other teams currently ranked in the Top-25, including No. 2 Sonoma State, which hosted the tournament and finished second at 12-under.

Kevin Horan carded his second straight 2-under par 70 and claimed individual medalist honors with a birdie on the final hole. He played in the same group as runner-up Ian Gilley of Rollins College and third-place finisher Jarin Todd of Sonoma State, who is the top-ranked Division II individual in the nation. So after he hit his drive right down the middle on the par-5 finishing hole, layed up to about 50 yards, and then hit a wedge to within three feet, he knew a birdie would win the tournament. He calmly sank it for his first win since joining the Chico State program following his freshman season, finishing 10-under for the tournament.

Chico State featured three of the top five finishers and had four players finish the tournament below par. Lucas Delgado finished fourth at 5-under par thanks to a 2-under 70 Tuesday, while Brandon Harkins came in fifth at 3-under par following his 1-over 73. Freshman Kyle Souza, who entered Tuesday’s final round in third place, struggled to a 77 to finish in a tie for 13th at 1-under par. Greg Marskey rebounded from a slow start to shoot 70 Tuesday and lower his score to 4-over par, good for a tie for 31st place in the 58-player field.

Tenth-ranked Hawaii-Hilo finished third, 24 strokes behind the Wildcats at 2-under par, while No. 20 Cal State Monterey Bay finished fourth at 1-under.

The Wildcats, who improved to 41-9 in head-to-head competition, will complete their fall season at the Dennis Rose Invitational at the Mauna Lani Golf Course in Hawaii Oct. 27-28.

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