The UTD men’s golf team suffered a blow to their postseason hopes with a mediocre showing at the Cal Lutheran Invitational March 21-23.

The Comets finished in 12th in a field of 17 squads that hailed from the NCAA division III West Region, an area spanning universities from Washington State to Texas.

Unlike other UTD athletic teams, the golfers compete not only in the American Southwest Conference but also in the West Regional and must be among the top three schools to qualify for the national tournament.

Head Coach Chet Cook didn’t make any excuses about the disappointing finish but stressed the need to improve if the Comets want to relive their national tournament experience of last season.

“The course was hilly, and it was windy, but everybody had the same conditions. The other teams just beat us,” Cook said.

UTD – led by senior Scott Maurer’s 238 -finished the 54-hole, two-day event shooting 972 as a team.

A week earlier, the Comets placed 11th out of 16 at the UST Texas Intercollegiate Championships.

UTD fired a 317 on the opening day and played the Terra Verde course nine strokes better in the second round.

“I wouldn’t say we’re a second day team. I think this is attributed to things other than being used to the course,” Cook said.

Cook noted that it would be beneficial to the UTD athletic program to have a home course and host tournaments in the future, but he said the school isn’t ready yet for such a costly and time-intensive endeavor.

Sophomore Cameron Corbett led the Comets with a two-round total of 153.

“He’s improved from tournament to tournament. He knows he’s even a better golfer, and he will continue to improve,” Cook said.