Gopher got into a zone for his 29 on back nine

After nine holes on Monday in the Barnabas Health Intercollegiate tournament, Gophers senior Jon Trasamar was struggling a bit. He had birdies on holes No. 7 and 8, but had three-putted three times.

So he made the turn on the River Course at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J.,  in a 1-over 37.

"I was thinking I have to right the ship, play solid and put myself in position," he said. "I wanted to give myself an opportunity and some chances."

After all, Trasamar's team -- he's captain of the Gophers -- was trying to win its first tournament since 2007.

Trasamar's round turned around quickly. He birdied the 10th hole and eagled the 11th to go 2-under for the day.

His birdie on No.10 came on an 8-foot putt. His eagle on No. 11 was set up with a 3-iron shot to within 5 feet of the hole. And he made that short putt, too.

"I got close to the flag on No. 11," Trasamar said. "I came up left and the pin was on the right. I landed short with my shot and the ball hopped on the green and rolled to 5 feet and I took advantage."

That he did on those two holes and four others on the back nine, finishing with a 7-under 29 on the back nine after an eagle and five birdies.

"My longest putt was probably 16 feet, the others were all inside 10-12 feet," Trasamar said.

And he was making almost all of them.

"They talk about how athletes, in the moment, can focus on the process and get in the zone once a couple things go your way," Trasamar said.

That's what happened to him.

"You get so amped, it's as if you are not playing golf," he said. "You are so amped and you have so much energy."

He only needed 11 putts on the back nine, finishing with a 2-foot birdie on No. 18. "I was a little nervous," Trasamar said, looking over the putt. He knew he had to make it for the first official nine-hole 29 of his career.

"I've had some 30s," he said. "And one 29 essentially in a match-play round, but it was unofficial." He didn't have to putt out every hole, some putts were conceded.

Trasamar's strong finish helped the Gophers run away with the team title by 17 shots.

"That was the first win since I've been here," he said. "We were second in the Big Ten [tourrnament] last season."

This was a team win, with five Gophers finishing at least tied for eighth or better.

"Everybody played well," said Trasamar, who finished one shot behind medalist Brandon Matthew of Temple, a playing partner on Monday.

"It was a little bittersweet," Trasamar said. "I wanted an individual victory in college. I have never had one. I've come close. But I lost to a great player and we had a great battle, He had a 32 on the back nine."

Matthews shot a 67 for an 36-hold total of 7-under 137. Trasmar, with his closing 66, had a 138. He was 10-under on the five par 5's over two days.