UCO men, women close strong in tournaments

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (April 3) – Eli Armstrong and Alexander Hughes both shot 1-over-par 72s to lead Central Oklahoma on the final day of the Battle at the Shores here Tuesday.

The Bronchos finished eighth in the 18-team tournament with an 878 total after shooting a closing 296 at the 6,733-yard, par-71 Normandy Shores Golf Club.  Florida Southern won the team title at 839, following by Lynn (840), Nova Southeastern (843), host Barry (845) and Florida Tech (855).

Armstrong and Hughes paced UCO on the final day with their 72s.  The Bronchos also got a 75 from Nick Pierce, while Yannic Oppenheimer shot 77 and Wesley Jackson 81.

Hughes got off to a rough start in the final round, bogeying three of his first seven holes, and he was four-over through 11.  The junior turned it on down the stretch, however, playing the final seven holes 3-under to close with the 72 that left him sixth in the individual standings at 4-under 209.

Armstrong had two front-nine birdies in making the turn at one-under 34, then had three back-nine bogeys before birdieing the par-5 18th hole to come in with a 38 for his 72.

Pierce ended the day with a bang, making eagle on the par-5 final hole to rally for his 75.

UCO is off next week, returning to action April 16-17 when they host the Broncho Stampede at Rose Creek Golf Club in Oklahoma City.

UCO women claim fourth in Henderson State Invitational

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (April 3) – Sydney Roberts fired an even-par 72 to lead Central Oklahoma to a fourth-place finish at the Henderson State Spring Invitational here Tuesday.

The Bronchos had the second-best final-round score at 304 and finished the two-day, 36-hole tournament with a 616 total on the par-72 Big Creek Golf Club.  Texas A&M-Commerce won the 14-team tournament at 608, followed by Arkansas-Fort Smith (613), host Henderson State (614), UCO and Missouri Western (619).

Roberts’ 72 paced the Bronchos, who also got 77s from Anna Pool and Makena Mucciaccio, a 78 from Marla Souvannasing and an 81 from Yuna Sato.

Roberts knocked six shots off his opening-day score and tied for fifth in the individual race with a 150 total for her second top-10 showing of the year.  The sophomore standout made 10 pars, four birdies and four bogeys in the final round.

Mucciaccio, Pool and Souvannasing all tied for 16th in the medalist standings with 156 totals.

UCO is back in action next week, going to Springfield, Mo. Monday and Tuesday for the Regional Spring Preview.