Women’s golf takes 2nd, Men take 4th in season-opener

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The Oklahoma Christian University men and women’s golf programs swung into their season-openers, placing fourth and second, respectively in Oklahoma City and Amarillo, Texas.

According to Golf Director and Head Coach David Lynn, the young team was a noticeable change from last year’s seasoned team.

“This year’s team will have two to three freshman playing each week, so we will be a little young and inexperienced,” Lynn said. “Last year I had all veterans, so I expect some growing pains, but I think there is a lot of potential.”

The Eagles began their season at the Ryan Palmer Foundation Invitational, a two-day tournament in Amarillo, Texas on Sept. 15 with what Lynn hopes is only a glimpse of what this season holds.

“The team played solid today,” Lynn said on Monday. “We made some rusty mistakes, but overall I am pleased. I am excited to see how they perform tomorrow, and I look forward to the challenge of helping them grow as a team over the next six months.”

Senior Jared Consoli shot a 69 in the morning round, matched by freshman Asher Owen in the afternoon round to bring Oklahoma Christian to fourth place at the end of day one. The Eagles recorded a 286 in the morning and a 285 in the afternoon, falling eight strokes behind Wayland Baptist University’s first-place score of 263 with a 571.

Despite an absence of an Oklahoma Christian player in the top 10, four Eagles inhabited top-20 slots. Trey Payne’s 70 and 72 tied him with Owen’s 74 and 68 to claim the 13th place in the 89-man field, Sam Johnston shot 73 and 70 to tie for 16th and Consoli’s rounds of 69 and 75 shared the 19th rank. Freshman Zac Schaefer shot a 76 in his morning and afternoon rounds, tying for 65th.

According to Lynn, this year’s team boasts a long list of skilled players that last year’s team lacked.

“The teams biggest problem last year was our depth,” Lynn said. “We were short-handed and it showed in our results. I think we are seven or eight deep this year and that will definitely make us more competitive in tournaments and daily at practice.”

After a promising first day, Oklahoma Christian struggled at Tascosa Country Club, completing the final round with a three-over-par 291 as a team. The Eagles’ final score of 862 was 15 strokes behind Wayland Baptist.

Payne’s 73 moved him down two spots, tying with Consoli at 15th, whose 71 elevated him four places. Johnston slid down the board to tie for 34th after shooting a 76. Owen fell two spots shy, taking 36th with a third-round score of 78. Schaefer improved to shoot his best round of the tournament with a 71, tying for 53rd.

Lynn said the opening tournament had two functions: give his team some experience and help new players acclimate to their new roles.

“I think the guys are really settling in nicely,” Lynn said. “I like our team chemistry and I think that will be a huge asset for us this year. It will take a little time for the freshmen to be comfortable, but that is normal.”

The Oklahoma Christian women’s golf team finished the first day of the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic as third of 14 teams with a team score of 594, 15 shots behind first-place Bellevue University.

According to sophomore Mindy Stafford, the tournament was a great opportunity to focus on specific aspects of her game.

“I hope to improve my putting, which will make me much more competitive,” Stafford said.

The Lady Eagles knocked 10 strokes off their afternoon score, shooting a 292 after a 302 in the morning – tying the Lady Eagles’ best single-round score.

Anna Arrese Cortadellas ended the first day seven stokes behind first place, tied for fifth after recording a 74 and 71.

The Lady Eagles featured a second team at the Lincoln Park Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday, which shot a collective 340 and 331 and earned a position at 11th place after the first day.

Catherine Odgers’ 76 and 73 ended the day at 15th of 75 women, tied with teammate India Matthews’ 77 and 72. Allison Sell tied for 22nd after recording 75 and 76 and Audrey Meisch consistently shot 77s to tie for 31st. Chaise Lucero, Dana Todd, Stafford finished consecutively 48th, 49th and 50th, respectively. Alyssa Schneider finished the first day with a collective 165.

The Lady Eagles’ second-day team score of 297 moved them into second place with a tournament total of 891, nine shots behind first-place Bellevue’s 882. All five of Oklahoma Christian’s players finished in the first half of the 75-woman field.

Stafford said the team’s performance was impressive for so early in the season.

“They did really well by placing second,” Stafford said. “Especially for our first tournament.”

The women’s second team improved from Monday as well, sliding into the top 10 with a final team score of 996.

Cortadellas finished first among the Lady Eagles, placing fourth with a 74 on Tuesday. Odgers completed her first tournament since 2013 with a 223 to tie for 12th. Matthews and Meisch tied for 20th at 226, Sell shot a 79 to finish in 31st place.

Todd led the Lady Eagles’ second team with a 76, finishing with a 240 and tying for 43rd. Lucero tied for 46th with a 242 after shooting her tournament-best 79.

Like many of her teammates, Stafford refined her scores throughout the tournament.

“After the first tournament my scores improved by an average of five strokes compared to last season,” Stafford said.

Stafford’s 249 put her tied for 55th and Schneider best-round score of 86 placed her at 67th, closing at 265.

Both Oklahoma Christian golf programs will compete Monday and Tuesday in the National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region Championship in Owasso, Oklahoma.