OCU is runner-up in Golfweek NAIA Spring Invitational
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Top ranked Oklahoma City University finished runner-up in the Golfweek NAIA Spring Invitational Monday at the Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort.
Jamie Warman, a junior form Perth, Australia, tied for fifth with a 67-76-75–218 for OCU.
The Stars, ranked No. 1 in NAIA men’s golf, posted a 286-302-299–887.
Defending national champion Coastal Georgia took the tournament with a 291-291-284–866. 11th-ranked Grand View (Iowa) held third, while No. 9 South Carolina-Beaufort took fourth. Eight of the 13 teams have a spot in the NAIA top 25.
Warman converted 14 birdies during the event on the par-72, 6,762-yard course. Alan Cooke of South Carolina-Beaufort jumped 11 spots on the last day to collect the individual crown.
Anthony Marchesani carded a 75-75-75–225 and finished with teammate Garrison Mendoza in 27th place. Mendoza, a sophomore from Clinton, Okla., produced a 72-75-78–225, while sinking seven birdies. Marchesani, a junior from Rosebud, Victoria, Australia, knocked in eight birdies.
Issa Abou el Ela, a junior form Alexandria, Egypt, provided Oklahoma City with a 78-76-72–226. Ela hopped 11 spots on the last day while converting 12 pars and three birdies.
The Stars’ Matthew Cheung scored 72-78-77–227. Conditions featured a 69-degree temperature at the beginning of the day with a high of 84. Winds ranged from 3-8 mph.
The Stars compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships April 20 at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City.