Mendoza leads OCU Stars to victory in NAIA Contender
IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma City University collected the crown in the NAIA Contender Tuesday at TPC Four Seasons.
The Stars, ranked No. 5 in NAIA men’s golf, rallied from one stroke behind to win over William Woods (Miss.) by eight strokes.
Garrison Mendoza, a sophomore from Clinton, finished No. 1 overall with a 69-70-139. Mendoza won by five strokes over three OCU teammates.
OCU’s Anthony Marchesani, Sam Russell and Issa Abou el Ela all tied for runner-up in the tournament. Marchesani, a junior from Rosebud, Victoria, Australia, jumped 26 spots and finished with a 77-67-144.
Russell, a senior from Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, had the biggest jump of the tournament, up 36 players and turned in a 77-67-144, while Abou el Ela, a junior from Alexandria, Egypt, remained in the same position with a 72-72-144, while playing as an individual.
OCU’s Jamie Warman, a senior from Perth, Australia, had the second best improvement, up 35 positions and tied for 10th. Warman contributed a 79-69-148 for the tournament. Matthew Cheung, a sophomore from Grisbane, Australia, finished tied for 15th with a 77-72-149.
Thomas Holtzman, a sophomore from Austin, Texas turned in an 84-79-163 while playing as an individual.
The temperature at the start of Tuesday’s round was 50 degrees and 8 mph wind. The temperature grew to 58 degrees and 10 mph wind.