Wolverines men’s golf team places third at state championships

The Sierra College men’s golf team traveled to Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera for the 2023 State Championships on Sunday and Monday where they placed third out of eight teams with a score of 724 in the 36-hole event.

“I was blown away,” Wolverines coach Walter Hix III said. “When you look at the scores, it was incredible. It took a total team effort.”

Sierra was led by Patrick Dumag who shot a two-day score of 141, good enough for seventh place out of 60 golfers. Dylan Meskowsky was close behind with a 143 including a three-under-par round of 70 on day two. Nathan Pappas placed third on the team with a 144 while Damon Bartells finished at 148. Rounding out the team were Nick Barton at 150 and Arun Bains at 153. 

The Wolverines beat out Fresno City College, College of the Desert, Riverside City College, Napa Valley College and Cuyamaca College. Reedley College won the state title with a 711 while Saddleback College shot a 717. Sierra only trailed by six strokes after the first round of competition. 

According to Hix III, this is the best Sierra has placed at state since he took over as head coach in 2010. The Wolverines have made it to state on five separate occasions under Hix III, three as a team and two with individuals. The 2023 performance is a major improvement upon last year when Sierra finished seventh in NorCals, missing out on state as a team. 

While multiple golfers on Sierra will be leaving having already played for two seasons, the Wolverines will return Barton and Pappas.

Dragonfly Golf Club is the home course for professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau.