June 10, 2010

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Four LMU men's golfers, three of who will return next season to the Lions, participated in the 2010 Long Beach Golf Festival, playing in the 85th Annual Long Beach Match Play Championship. Soon to be sophomore Bryan Bergna and recent graduate Blake Nicolai both advanced to the second round.

Played at the El Dorado Golf Course, Bergna, Nicolai, Andrew Waldron and Boris Stantchev all qualified for the 64-man match play field. Bergna led the four Lions at the qualifying rounds with a even-par 144 over the two rounds. Nicolai posted a 147, while Waldron shot a 150 and Stantchev a 152.

In the first round of the championships, Bergna won his match 4 & 3, while Nicolai won his 2 & 1. Both would then fall 1 up in the second round.

Stantchev fell in a heartbreaker, falling on the 20th hole to the No. 3 player in the field. Waldron fell in his 6 & 5.