The No. 16 University of Redlands men's golf program teed off the 2011 season yesterday by clinching a second-place finish at the SCIAC 18-hole No.1 at the Redlands Country Club.   With senior Alex Hedlund (Arlington, WA) nabbing a share of the medalist honors, the Bulldogs posted a solid first showing of 295.

Hedlund provided consistent play throughout the round, collecting 12 pars and three birdies en route to his impressive score of 71 (35, 36).

Complementing Hedlund's performance, fellow senior Todd Steller (Poway, CA) recorded a team-best front nine with a 34 to finish tied for third at 72.

Freshman Jeremy Saunders (Chatsworth, CA) made his collegiate debut a memorable one by shooting a 75 (37, 38) to tie for ninth overall.

Senior Tom Sponheim (Redlands, CA) put together a solid 77 (39,38), while senior Ray Biggerstaff (Newport Beach, CA) and sophomore Eddie Belk (Redlands, CA) rounded out the squad with scores of 82 and 85, respectively.

The Maroon and Gray fell just short of defeating No. 5 University of La Verne, which posted a field low of 293, but Redlands sat 14 strokes ahead of No. 2 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges.

Redlands managed to sink 14 total birdies and shot four-under on the par fives, ranking first among the field in both categories.

The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday, Feb. 20, as they travel to El Prado Golf Club for the SCIAC 18-hole No.2 match, which begins at 8 a.m. in Chino.