LAKEWOOD, CO- It was an exciting three days at Bear Creek Golf Club as Colorado Christian opened up their season at the Writz. It was a nail biting finish that came down to the last hole, but in the end CCU fought their way to victory to start their year off with a bang. Xavier Bighaus won the individual title with a score of -4, while Adam Duncan tied for second with a mark of -2.
ROUND ONE
The first day on Sunday featured some tough weather conditions, but Duncan did not let that slow him down. On a cold, overcast and sometimes very windy day, the junior fired off eight birdies on his way to a 68 for four under par on the day. Bighaus notched three birdies on the back nine to fire a 75, while Ben Fowler had four birdies for another 75. Newcomer Bradley Mulder also scored a 75, and Peyton Jones carded a 78. Dylan Arthur closed with a 79 as the Cougars finished the day 11 over par and in second place.
Cole Grossl and Cameron Sandland competed as individuals at the tournament, and Sandland threw down a solid 76. Grossl closed with an 81 on the day.
ROUND TWO
Trailing Mines by eight strokes, the Cougars went to work on day two of the tournament. Bighaus led the charge as he tallied six birdies en route to a 68 to climb the leaderboard and take his teams score low. Mulder was excellent, shooting a 71 for one under par with four birdies. Duncan and Jones remained locked in with a pair of 72s. Fowler shot a 73, while Arthur netted a 74.
Grossl had a bounceback day, shooting a 69 with six birdies on the day. Sandland posted an 82 to close the second round.
THIRD ROUND
The third and final round of the tournament featured loads of drama, as CCU had closed the lead to one stroke heading into the last day. Throughout the day, the two teams traded the lead many times as each hole and shot mattered coming down the stretch. The first to finish was Peyton Jones, who shot a 74 to take 31st overall. Arthur then finished with his best round of the tournament with a 69 to claim 18th. Fowler came in next with a 74 as he tied his teammate Arthur for 18th.
With three more golfers yet to finish, the outcome hung in the balance with a stroke separating the two teams. Mulder hit a clutch birdie on 18 as he finished with a 73 to claim a tie for eighth at his first collegiate tournament. Bighaus closed with a birdie as well as he shot an impressive 69 to take the individual title with a final of 212 for four under par.
With Duncan teeing off 18, Mines and CCU sat deadlocked in a tie for first. Duncan hit a brilliant tee shot that put him close to the green and he chipped near the hole. Despite a putt that lipped out, Duncan finished the hole with a par and a tie for second. A missed Orediggers putt gave the Cougars a thrilling 1 shot team victory on a wild day of golf.
Sandland closed with a 76 on the final day, while Grossl scored a 79 to close the tournament.
Colorado Christian started the year off right with a win at the Writz by a single stroke. Their final team score was 1086 for six over par as they closed out a tough battle with the top teams in the conference.
With their first win in hand, CCU now shift their focus to the South Central Shootout on September 24-26 at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Golf Course in Mescalero, New Mexico.
