SALINAS --- Cal State Monterey Bay's men's golf team drew a 4-4 tie with the United States Naval Academy in match play format at the Corral de Tierra Country Club on Friday --- but as both coaches explained, everyone was really a winner.

For the Navy team, the match wrapped up a week of golf on the Monterey Peninsula's best courses. The Midshipmen's tour included Spyglass, Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and finished at Corral de Tierra.

“It was the trip of a lifetime. We played some of the best courses in the world and met a lot of fascinating people along the way,” said asst. Navy coach Mike Burke. “This course was tough for us. The greens were very true, but tricky. There were a lot of subtle breaks.”

The Otters were just happy to host Navy, and to tie a Division I program is good when you're in Division II.

“It was a great day,” said Paulson. “The golf course is in great shape and it was a real honor to host Navy here. This is one of the better courses. The greens were just fantastic.”

Navy sent out its best eight from the week to face CSUMB's top eight in a single match play format. #Billy Moon#, #David Staszko#, #Scott Yeakel# and #Ricky Stockton# all won their matches for CSUMB. Two Navy players from California won, Ben Hayes of Carmichael and Josh Ziska of Camarillo.

“This week was quite an opportunity,” said Ziska. “Cypress was spectacular. This course was great. The greens were very challenging.”

“It was a great experience, great to meet the Navy players,” said Moon. “The course was in perfect shape, but really tough. You couldn't really press. You had to play smart.”

After the match, the country club treated both teams to a banquet lunch.

“They're all just really good kids,” said David Webb, general manager of Corral de Tierra Country Club. “They've had a wonderful week and we're happy to be able to have them here.”