For the second straight year, sophomore Trevor Clayton posted the top score at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational, defending the title he won as a freshman last year.
Going into the final round, Clayton shot an even 144 and finished up 2-under-par after posting a 70 during the final round Tuesday to seal his second straight individual honors.
Clayton actually tied with Chico State golfer Lee Gearhart at 2-under-par, but took home the award as he out-dueled Gearhart with the lower third round score after Gearhart posted a 1-over 73.
Both golfers were in the same pairing, with each matching one another shot for shot. On the 17th hole, Clayton bogeyed to drop one shot behind Gearhart who made par.
The Stanislaus sophomore would not be denied his repeat as he sunk a 30-foot birdie putt on 18 to garner the tie.
Gearhart had nearly the same putt length to also notch a birdie on the 18th hole, but his putt sailed wide, surrendering the title to Clayton.
Gearhart finished second place again as Chico State finished three strokes behind Cal State Monterey Bay, with the final score 875-872. The Stanislaus golf team came in third place for the first time all season, coming up eight strokes behind the Otters.
During the second round, Stanislaus trailed the leading Otters by 11 strokes, but rode the hot hands of Clayton and junior Tyler Leeworthy, who took off eight strokes to only trail by three shots heading into the final round at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational.
After shooting a disappointing 81 in the first round, Leeworthy posted a 2-under for the second round after two birdies on the back nine.
Leeworthy finished the tournament 8-over 224 after a final round 3-over 73. His showing earned him a spot in the top 20 along with Clayton and junior Anthony Manguray who also show 8-over.
The golf team was just three shots back of leader Chico State and No. 3 Cal State Monterey Bay, who both posted scores of 9-over 585 heading into the final round. Unfortunately, the Warriors posted a 25-over 292, too high to keep track with either Cal State Monterey or Chico State.
Coming into play of the 41st annual Hanny Stanislaus Invitational the Cal State Stanislaus men’s golf team was ranked No. 12 in the latest Golf World/Nike Coaches poll.
The victors of the tournament, Cal State Monterey Bay, are ranked in the No. 3 spot. Chico State is also ranked higher than the Warriors, holding the No. 4 spot.
So far this season, the men’s golf team has not won a tournament, but they have had four second-place finishes along with three fourth-place finishes. Some positives did come out of this tournament as the golf team did defeat No. 6 ranked Central Missouri by eight strokes.
Now after the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational, the men’s team will look at the CCAA  Championship, which will be held April 21 and April 22 at Brookside Country Club in Stockton.