WICHITA FALLS, TX – It is not how you begin but rather how you finish.
A first round that could have been detrimental was not as the Cougars rallied from a rough start. An initial 18 holes proved to be a House of Horrors as Halloween is around the corner but the final 36 proved the squad's ability.
ROUND ONE RECAP: The grind was tough for the Cougars during the opening 18 holes. The squad scraped and clawed its way to an opening round 313 (+29) as they found themselves in the 12th position.
The Cougars best scorer was Dylan Arthur who posted a round at one-over par (72) but the freshman was playing as an individual in the event and didn't count towards the team total. It was Arthur's best round as a collegiate golfer as he registered four birdies during the morning effort. He was tied for 11th in the 70-person field after that effort.
Christopher Gleason's five-over par 76 was the team's best scoring performance while Sam Nolley notched a 77 to finish just behind him. A pair of underclassmen tallied an 80 as Zach Slayton and Mason Richter posted a nine-over par round. Jack Curran completed the scoring players as he posted an 82 (+11).
ROUND TWO RECAP: The afternoon round on Monday was much more successful as they had a 22-stroke improvement by carding a 291 (+7) to bump them up to 11th.
Slayton put together the best round by any Cougar golf this season as the sophomore carded a 68 (-3) with four birdies and a bogey. He moved into a tie for 24th in the individual standings. Gleason notched a two-over par (73) round while both Nolley and Ritcher fired a round of 75 (+4). Curran completed the scoring players with an 84.
Arthur stayed steady, and in the top 20, with a second round total of 74 (+3).
FINAL ROUND RECAP: The momentum the Cougars created with a solid second round continued in Tuesday's last 18 holes. Colorado Christian fired their second straight 291 (+7) to move up into that eighth place tie with Texas A&M International.
A trio of players led the way as Slayton, Ritcher and Nolley each carded a one-over par 72. Nolley had five birdies while Richter had four birdies and an eagle. Slayton stayed consistent with a two-birdie, three-bogey round. Slayton had the best overall finish as his three-day total of 220 (+7) placed him in the 17th position.
Curran had a rough round as he tallied a final round 82.
Arthur completed his play in his home state with a top 20 overall finish. Arthur completed his event with a final round 75 (+4) to place tied for 18th – a three-round total of 221 (+8).
STATISICALLY SPEAKING
- The Cougars tied for second in the event with 161 holes played at par
- Gleason and Slayton each had a team best 37 par holes; second best in the tournament
- As a team they registered 27 birdies
UP NEXT: The trip completes the fall season. The program is putting together their spring schedule.
