Men’s Golf Finishes T-6 in Las Cruces

NMJC men's golf finished T-6 at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The T-Birds posted 14-over par in 54 holes for a total of 866 (295-290-281) at the par-71 course.

Midland College was the top junior college team shooting 10-under and finishing runner-up to host New Mexico State (-27). Odessa College was the second-best finisher on the junior college side placing fifth at 6-over. The Thunderbirds were tied with South Mountain CC at 14-over as the third-best finishers from the junior college ranks.

Midland College's Bryce Womack won the junior college portion of the tournament individually at 8-under par.

Oliver Ruutu was the top finisher for NMJC in Las Cruces. Ruutu placed T-16 with rounds of 73-71-70 to shoot 1-over at the tournament. Ruutu had the fifth best scoring average on par 4s this week at 2-under (3.94).

Freshman Jake Yrene had a great week in the lineup placing T-39 at the NMSU Golf Course. Yrene shot back-to-back 2-over 73s and followed up that performance with a 1-over 72 to post 5-over at the intercollegiate. 

Sophomore Elias Pettersson shot consecutive 4-over 75s on Day 1. The Swede capitalized on the final day shooting a 2-under team-low 69 to finish T-43 at 6-over. 

Henry Drake's first 36 holes were nearly identical to his teammate Elias Pettersson. The Thunderbird sophomore shot 74-76 to sit at 8-over par for the tournament. He was able to break through in the final round with a 1-under 70 to post 7-over and finish T-51.

Freshman Nick Friedrichsen shot 77 on his first 18 holes but bounced back his next 18 on Day 1 with an even-par 71. Friedrichsen shot a 5-over 76 in the final round to finish 11-over and in a tie for 59th place. 

The Thunderbirds were second in the field when it came to pars with 175. 

The T-Birds head to Newton, Kan. where they will compete Oct. 24-25. The first day will be 36 holes with the final round on Day 2 being 18 holes.

NMJC has fond memories of Sand Creek Station with the Thunderbirds winning the NJCAA National Preview at the course in 2022.