LA QUINTA, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i men's golf team closed its Big West Conference era in historic fashion on Tuesday, earning a tie for fourth place at the Big West Championship. The Rainbow Warriors carded a final-round 297 (+9) at the La Quinta Country Club to finish with a 54-hole total of 871 (+7).
 
The result marks the program's highest-ever finish at the Big West Championship, surpassing their previous best of fifth place set in 2019. Hawai'i shared the fourth-place spot with UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego.
 
Junior Dane Watanabe paced the Rainbow Warriors, securing a tie for sixth place individually with a three-day total of 5-under-par 211. Watanabe carded a 3-over 75 in the final round to cement his top-10 finish, wrapping up a stellar tournament highlighted by his 65 on Monday.
 
Nathan Szpakowicz and James Whitworth also delivered strong performances to help secure the team's record finish. Szpakowicz posted a final-round 73 (+1) to move into a tie for 17th place at 217 (+1). Whitworth finished just one stroke behind him at 218 (+2) after a closing 74, tying for 20th overall.
 
Rounding out the lineup for Hawai'i, Alec Hilgers finished tied for 34th with a 226 (+10) total, and Chris Salem placed 38th at 227 (+11).
 
Long Beach State captured its fourth consecutive Big West crown in dominant fashion, running away with the team title at 48-under-par (816). The Beach's Steen Zeman took home individual medalist honors, finishing at 11-under 205 to edge out teammates Jack Cantlay and Jaden Huggins by one stroke.
 
The tournament officially marks Hawai'i's final competition as a member of the Big West Conference. The Rainbow Warriors will turn the page and transition to the Mountain West Conference beginning next season.
 
T4. Hawai'i — 293-281-297=871 (+7)
T6. Dane Watanabe — 71-65-75=211 (-5)
T17. Nathan Szpakowicz — 74-70-73=217 (+1)
T20. James Whitworth — 73-71-74=218 (+2)
T34. Alec Hilgers — 75-75-76=226 (+10)
38. Chris Salem — 75-77-75=227 (+11)