Otters Off To Hot Start At Wildcat Classic

Otters finish Day 1 at 20-under par; Lekkerkerk is three back

September 14, 2026

By: Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)

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MARYSVILLE, Calif. — The new-look Cal State Monterey Bay men's golf team got off to the hottest start in program history, shooting 20-under par on the first day of the Chico State Wildcat Classic Monday at the Peach Tree Golf and Country Club.

CSUMB's previous best-ever start was 7-under at the same event last season. This season's effort featured a 9-under in the morning round and an 11-under in the afternoon. Each of those represent the best opening-day rounds in the storied history of Otter golf.

Senior Derek Lekkerkerk (Twin Falls [Id.] HS), a transfer from Colorado State, led the charge by finishing the day at 8-under 136, good for a share of sixth place. Lekkerkerk went 3-under in the morning and 5-under in the afternoon.

Sophomore Ben Christian (Dexter [Mo.] Senior HS), one of two returners in this week's starting lineup, finished play Monday at 5-under and in 14th place. Freshmen Zach Easterling (Clovis West HS) is in 18th place at minus-4 and Tintin Wallin (Kungsangen, Sweden) is 23rd at minus-3.

Just missing a spot in the Top 25 was freshman Melvil Jacquelin (Montpellier, UAE), who is playing as an individual. He sits in 27th place at 2-under.

CSUMB ended the first day in fourth place, trailing Cal State San Marcos by two strokes and Stanislaus State by nine. Host Chico State is running away from the field in first place at 37-under.

Individually, Chico's Vineet Vallamsetty holds a 1-shot lead over CSUSM's Liam Weaver at 11-under. Lekkerkerk is three shots back entering Tuesday's final round.

The Wildcat Classic concludes with 18 holes Tuesday at Peach Tree. Follow live stats at Scorecard on the Scoreboard Live app.

GO OTTERS!

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