After struggling to find the top of the leaderboard last fall, the Binghamton golf team found no solace at its first tournament of the spring season, even in the rays of the welcoming southern California sun.

At the Pala Mesa Invitational in Fallbrook, Calif., the Bearcats could not find the winning tradition they were so accustomed to in the 2004 season, a tradition that has long eluded them. Against a highly respectable field last week, including tournament champion UCLA JV (285-277-293=855) and Western Illinois (301-298-293=892), the Bearcats shot 322-314-306=942 and placed 13th out of 14 participating teams.

The Pala Mesa Resort golf course was 6,480 yards, par 72. The course was demanding, and with out-of-bounds coming into play on most holes, trouble was imminent.

More importantly and problematically, Binghamton placed lower than Army, a rival that the Bearcats must battle with in order to clinch a NCAA tournament spot.

“You can’t expect a whole lot when you are practicing indoors and you’re up against teams who are playing everyday,” said junior Jeff Wolniewicz.

But the Bearcats’ exposure to top national squads was important for the team’s progress and development.

Wolniewicz shot rounds of 76-73-74 to place 21st out of a field of 77.

“I left some shots out there, but that is to be expected at this time of the year,” he said.

Sophomore Zach Vinal, like the rest of the team, wasn’t as successful as Wolniewicz.

“I played the worst of my life, by far,” said Vinal, who shot 85-81-84. “Especially because of the preparation that I put in, it was tough not to succeed.”

Most of the Bearcats played golf over the winter break in warmer locations, but the lack of a competitive atmosphere may have tripped them up.

“We have been practicing, but it was tough to get the feel back with short game and the mental aspect of it,” Vinal said.

Binghamton has competed against many of the same teams this year as it has in the past, but the growth and improvement of those teams is clearly evident.

“Our finishes this year were in tougher tournaments against teams that have significantly improved since last year,” said head coach Nick Lasky.

Binghamton has not won a tournament since the 2004 season, and frustration may be setting in.

“We are hungry for a win,” Vinal said. “It’s not always about winning and losing, though; it’s about doing whatever it takes to get to NCAAs.”

Binghamton currently stands third in its district, but the Bearcats can’t afford to get too comfortable.

“It’s a matter of working hard and, once we compete, to relax,” Lasky said. “We have the talent, and we just need to let things happen.”