Thunderbirds Take 2nd Place at Omega Invitational
Cox and Kreutzer Finish 2nd Individually
The Thunderbirds Golf team opened their spring season with a 2nd place finish (8 teams) at the Chemical Treating Omega Invitational in Midland, TX. The Thunderbirds opened with a solid 276 team score (-8), leading #2 ranked Midland College by 8 shots after 18 holes. The Tbirds fell back during round 2, finishing with a 292 team score (+8) which left them in 2nd place, 13 shots behind Midland College. NMJC fought hard during round 3 shooting a combined 285 team score (+1), but it wasn't enough to catch Midland who finished 14 shots in front of the Tbirds.
Sophomore Ryan Cox and Freshman Julius Kreutzer led the team individually, both tying for 2nd place overall. Cox fired rounds of 69, 70,70 (-4), and Kreutzer carded rounds of 68, 71, 70 (-4). Freshman Zhane Chan had the opening round lead after firing 67 (-4), however he slipped back with a 2nd round 79 (+8). Chan rallied for a final round 70, leaving him tied for 12th place overall (+3). Freshman Andrew Ni finished tied 17th with rounds of 72, 72, 75 (+6) and freshman Tyler Cox finished 48th overall with rounds of 87, 85, 94. Competiing individually for the Thunderbirds were Freshman Harvey Hill and Sophomore Preston Ewing, both finished tied for 37th overall. Hill carded rounds of 83, 73, 77 while Ewing posted 84, 78, 71 (+20).
Head Coach James Berry was pleased with his team, "The team played hard all week, but to win this event we needed to be a little better. Midland is very good, and beating them on their home course is difficult under any circumstances. Having an opening round lead was great, but we weren't as sharp during round 2 and that was the difference. We beat some quality teams and this will boost our confidence heading into our home event this weekend."
The Thunderbirds are back in action this weekend at their home event at Rockwind Community Links (March 18th-19th).
Full Results: http://www.golfstat.com/2017-2018/men/mtoursp18/M4766.pdf
