Kline leads UCO to Broncho Invitational triumph at Gaillardia CC, NSU third
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 1) – Eric Kline led a trio of top-six individual finishers that carried Central Oklahoma to a five-stroke triumph in the Broncho Invitational by RCB Bank here Tuesday afternoon.
It was the second straight tournament title for the Bronchos, who shot a final-round 304 at the 7,283-yard, par-72 Gaillardia Country Club to finish the two-day, 54-hole event with an 891 total.
Central Missouri was second in the 12-team tourney at 896, followed by Northeastern State (903).
Kline had a share of the individual lead entering the final day, but ended up tied for second a shot behind the winner after closing with a 75 that gave him a 218 total.
Joby Gray paced UCO with a 74, while Russ Purser shot 77 and Logan Gray and Matt Helms 78. Logan Gray ended up fifth in the medalist standings at 222, with Joby Gray sixth at 223.
Landon Morgan actually had the best score of the day for the Bronchos while competing as an individual medalist, firing an even-par 72 to come in fourth with a 221 total. Chris Muriana shot 82 as an individual.
Morgan played his last 11 holes five under to make up for a poor start. He was five over through seven holes before finishing with back-to-back birdies to make the turn at 39 and then added three more birdies on the closing nine for a three-under 33.
The Bronchos don’t return to action until going to St. Charles, Mo. for the Embassy Suites Invitational hosting by Lindenwood on April 14-15.
NSU carded a final-round score of 301 to finish the tournament at 39-over-par 903 (301-301-301). NSU upset No. 24-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, who finished fourth at 65-over 929 (309-303-317) in a tie with Lindenwood (304-311-314).
Junior Brad Hager earned a career-best T-2 after shooting 2-over 218 (71-72-75). He had a 35-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole that would have tied him for top honors with UCM’s Teddy Jones (76-69-72). Hager settled into a tie with Kline (70-73-75).
Junior Brent Williamson also recorded a career-low finish as he tied for ninth at 12-over 228 (75-78-75). Freshman Tate Williamson tied for 24th at 17-over 233 (76-82-75), and fellow freshman Marc Johnson rebounded from a rough first round to tie for 29th at 21-over 237 (86-75-76). Junior Josh Strimple tied for 39th at 23-over 239 (79-76-84).
Northeastern State has now completed regular-season competition and will gear up for the 2014 MIAA Championship, which will be April 21-13 on the Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, Kan.
BRONCHO INVITATIONAL – Final Results
April 1, 2014 at Oklahoma City, Okla.
(par-72, 7,255-yard Gaillardia CC)
Team Results
1. (RV) Central Oklahoma 291-296-304=891 (+27)
2. #6 Central Missouri 306-287-303=896 (+32)
3. (RV) Northeastern State 301-301-301=903 (+39)
T4. #24 Nebraska-Kearney 309-303-317=929 (+65)
Lindenwood 304-311-314=929 (+65)
6. Missouri Western State 317-315-309=941 (+77)
7. Missouri Southern State 326-304-312=942 (+78)
8. Lincoln 320-316-321=957 (+93)
9. Fort Hays State 325-309-324=958 (+94)
10. Washburn 330-312-317=959 (+95)
11. Pittsburg State 328-316-317=961 (+97)
12. Southwest Baptist 334-322-325=981 (+117)
Top-5 Results
1. Teddy Jones (Central Missouri) 76-69-72=217 (+1)
T2. Brad Hager (Northeastern State) 71-72-75=218 (+2)
Eric Kline (Central Oklahoma) 70-73-75=218 (+2)
4. Landon Morgan (Central Oklahoma) 77-72-72=221 (+5)
5. Logan Gray (Central Oklahoma) 73-71-78=222 (+6)
NSU Individuals
T2. Brad Hager 71-72-75=218 (+2)
T9. Brent Williamson 75-78-75=228 (+12)
T24. Tate Williamson 76-82-75=233 (+17)
T29. Marc Johnson 86-75-76=237 (+21)
T39. Josh Strimple 79-76-84=239 (+23)