UCO third in Battle at the Shores; NSU plays in dust storm
MIAMI, Fla. (April 9) – Joe Lemieux fired a two-under-par 69 to lead Central Oklahoma to a third-place showing in the rugged Battle at the Shores that wrapped up Tuesday.
The Bronchos had the second-best score of the final round with a 2-over 286 and finished three trips around the 6,800-yard, par-71 Normandy Shores Golf Club with an 866 total. Host and top-ranked Barry won the 16-team tournament at 838, 14 shots ahead of No. 2 Lynn.
Lemieux had his second 69 of the tournament in pacing Central’s last-round charge, while Alexander Hughes had an even-par 71 as the two tied for ninth in the individual standings with 215 totals. The Bronchos also got 73s from Cody Troutman and Blake Murray, while Jacob Lackey shot 79.
Lemieux started his day on the first hole and quickly got to three-under with a birdie on the par-4 second and eagle on the par-5 third. He bogeyed No. 9 to go out in two-under 33 and opened the back nine with seven straight pars before bogeying No. 17 only to get that stroke back with a birdie on the par-5 finishing hole.
Hughes also began final-round play on No. 1 and birdied two of his first three holes to quickly get to minus-one only to play the last five holes three-over in making the turn at two-over. The senior responded with a two-under 34 on the back nine, making birdies on Nos. 10 and 12 to go along with seven pars.
Murray had perhaps the round of the day, overcoming two big scores with a flurry of birdies in shooting 73. The junior made a nine on the par-4 ninth hole and double bogeyed No. 15, but nearly offset that seven-over stretch with five birdies – four of those coming on the back nine.
Troutman started his day on No. 2 and was two-over through eight holes before playing the final 11 even in finishing off his 73.
UCO is back in action next week, going to Bolivar, Mo. for the SBU Bearcat Invitational in the final tune-up before the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Championship the following week.
NSU battles dust storm in Arizona
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – A high final round dropped the RiverHawks six spots on Tuesday and they finished in 16th at the Mustang Invitational.
Northeastern State fell victim to a late dust storm in the final four holes where they shot 14-over as a group. The RiverHawks would card a 297 on Tuesday and finished the tournament with a three-round score at 866.
Tyler Ashman was 3-under before course conditions changed for the worse and shot 5-over on the next two holes. Ashman finished the day with a 74 and was tied for 58th overall on a 218 score (72-72-74).
Carlos Gomez led the RiverHawks with a 215 (71-67-77) and was tied for 30th overall. Tahlequah native Jax Johnson was one stroke behind tied for 42nd (71-72-73).
Casey Paul shot a 219 (74-72-73) and Ty Shelnutt had a 229 (72-76-81).
Colorado School of Mines took the tournament crown with 840 and won by two strokes. Western Washington’s Ethan Casto was the medalist champion on a 201 score.
Northeastern State will return to action next Monday where it will travel to Southwest Baptist for a two-day tournament.