THORNTON, CO – It's time to compete again.

After the longest layoff in Colorado Christian athletic history, the men's golf team teed it up as they hosted the Mile High Shootout at Todd Creek Golf Club in Thornton.

While the Cougars were still shaking off some of the seven-month layoff rust, they competed well as they placed third in the seven-team event. Colorado Christian tallied a three-round total of 891 (+27) as Colorado School of Mines won the event by 17 strokes with an 863 (-1).

Individually, Zach Slayton battled the entire event for first place before coming away with a runner-up finish in just his seventh collegiate event.

FIRST ROUND RECAP: The Cougars sat in second place after firing a first round 298 (+9). After the initial 18 holes they were seven shots back of Colorado School of Mines while holding a one-shot lead against Westminster.

Slayton led the way by shooting a one-under par 71. The sophomore tallied a first-round team best four birdies and was just three strokes behind the individual leader, Colin Dubnik. Dylan Arthur opened his collegiate career by carding a 74 (+2) while his Christopher Gleason (75, +3) was just behind. Both Arthur and Gleason held a top 20 position after the first round.

Wrapping up the scoring golfers for the Cougars were Sam Nolley and freshman Mason Richter who both opened the season with a five-over par 77 performance.

Competing as an individual, Jack Curran was tied for 11th as he tallied a 74 (+2).

SECOND ROUND RECAP: Despite dropping back into a third-place tie after 36 holes, the Cougars (598, +20) were within one stroke of second place Colorado Mesa and tied with Westminster. Colorado School of Mines was at one-over par (577) after two rounds.

Late in the round Slayton moved into a first-place tie before settling for the second spot as the evening sun set over the Rocky Mountains. The lefthander drained five birdie putts en route to his two-under par round. At three-under par and heading into the last 18 holes he was two shots off of Dubnik's lead. 

Arthur kept his top 20 spot after shooting a 77 (+5) in his second round to sit at 151 (+7) heading into the last round. Nolley had a two-shot improvement as he hit a 75 (+3) to bump his score to 152 (+8).

Rounding out the scoring golfers for the Cougars were Mason Richter (154, +10) and Christopher Gleason (156, +12).

Curran was still solidly in his top 20 spot while playing as an individual. The junior notched a second round of 76 (+4) to tally a 150 (+6) after two rounds which placed him in a tie for 13th.

FINAL ROUND RECAP: The Cougars stayed steady as they fired their third straight round under 300 by tallying a 295 (+7) to break their tie with Westminster and fend off an effort by Fort Lewis to secure the third spot.

Slayton closed his event by shooting an even-par 72. His final 18 holes were highlighted by a pair of birdies and an eagle on the 18th hole. His three-round total of 213 (-3) was three strokes off Colorado School of Mines' Tim Amundson.

A pair of freshman put together solid final rounds to close out their collegiate debut. Ritcher carded a 73 (+1) to complete his event with a three-round total of 227 (+11) to place tied for 21st. Arthur was just behind him as he finished 23rd. Arthur went five-over par 77 on Tuesday for shoot a three-day total of 228.

Gleason and Nolley tied for 26th by compiling a 229 (+13) over the 54 holes. Gleason shot a 73 (+1) on the last day while Nolley notched a 77 (+5).

Curran completed his steady event by shooting a final round 72 (E) in tallying a 222 (+6) to tie for the 11th spot.

STATISCALLY SPEAKING

• The Cougars had the second best scoring average (3.35) on par three holes
• As a team they trailed only Colorado Mesa by recording a par on 161 holes
• Slayton went ten-under on par five holes with a 4.17 scoring average

QUOTABLE:  Zach Slayton, Sophomore
"The tournament went really well. I played really solid the first two rounds. Today I struggled a little bit. I haven't been in contention during a college tournament yet so coming off a seven-month break was a bit tough to be mentally prepared. I was really pleased with how I played today. I finished second to an All-American and if that's the only guy I lose to in the field that's fine. I'm pleased where my game is at and I'm excited to see where the rest of the season goes."

UP NEXT:  The Cougars travel to the Samuel Proal Invitational hosted by CSU Pueblo the first Monday and Tuesday of October.