March 19, 2002

RANCH SANTA FE, Calif. - Led by the spectacular play of junior Tony Giarratano (Castle Rock, Colo.), the University of Denver men's golf team finished second at the 15th annual University of San Diego Invitational at Del Mar Country Club today, 15 strokes behind winner San Diego State. Giarratano won his first career individual title with a final round, 2-under par 70 to overtake first round leader Mark Warman of San Diego State, who closed with a 6-over 78 to finish four strokes back.

Giarratano was easily the best and most consistent golfer in the field, opening with a 3-over par 75 but closing with back-to-back 70s to close the tournament. Both his second and final round scores were the best scores in the field and he was the only golfer in the entire field to finish the two day, 54 hole tournament under par. Giarratano overcame a four stroke deficit heading to today's final round.

Next for Denver was junior Tommy Hart (Englewood, Colo.), who closed the tournament with a 5-over par 77 today and finished tied for fifth at 223, 7-over par. Freshman Barrett Jarosch (Edmonton, Alberta) continued his strong spring play by shooting 76-76-75-227 (11-over par) and finishing tied for 12th.

"Tony (Giarratano) was awesome out there today," head coach Eric Hoos said. "This is really a good golf course and a great field and for him to overcome a deficit like that to win the tournament was really something. I'm proud of the way our guys played this week."

Denver is next in action beginning Monday, Apr. 9 when they play in the Diet Pepsi/Shocker Classic in Wichita, Kan.

15th Annual USD Invitational
Del Mar Country Club
Par: 72 Yardage: 6950

Fin.	Team	Scores

1	San Diego State 	291	296	295	882	+18

2	DENVER		302	299	296	897	+33

3	Yale		305	303	301	909	+45

T4	Rice		302	308	303	913	+49

T4	Western Kentucky	302	303	308	913	+49

6	San Diego		307	311	298	916	+52

7	Mississippi State	303	304	314	921	+57

8	Connecticut	307	324	304	935	+71

9	Nebraska		303	309	327	939	+75

10	San Francisco	319	319	303	941	+77

11	Loyola Marymount	312	319	314	945	+81

12	Portland		316	314	320	950	+86

13	Utah		317	323	319	959	+95	

14	Southern Utah	333	314	316	963	+99

15	Cal St. Northridge	318	329	326	973	+109

16	Dartmouth		336	325	315	976	+112

17	Gonzaga		328	338	334	1000	+136



DENVER SCORES

2	Denver, U. of	302	299	296	897	+33

1	Tony Giarratano	75	70	70	215	-1

T5	Tommy Hart	72	74	77	223	+7

T12	Barrett Jarosch	76	76	75	227	+11

T28	Erik Billinger	79	79	74	232	+16

T46	John Hulwick	81	79	77	237	+21