Photo by: Henoc Kivuye
Steady progress seems to be the key to a successful season for Oklahoma Christian University’s golf program.
The men’s golf team traveled to Palm Desert, Calif., for the Dr. Troy Bledsoe Skyhawk Classic Club Shootout the first weekend of April and the women’s team went to Kansas City, Mo., for the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Kangaroo Invitational.
The Eagles entered the tournament in California after a two week break, while the Lady Eagles traveled to Kansas City only a week after the Dallas Baptist Southwest Classic.
The UMKC Invitational was the last tournament the women’s team will travel to for regular season play this semester.
The squads lost ideal practice time to inclement weather at the beginning of this spring season, resulting in poor finishes early in the semester. The team is working back to where they want to be, however, according to Head Coach of Men’s Golf David Lynn.
“I feel like we have progressed well through this semester,” Lynn said. “This has been the best tournament of this semester for our team and it is no coincidence. We have had more time outside practicing now that the weather is cooperating.”
The team entered the second day of the Skyhawk Classic Club Shootout Tuesday, April 1, with four players in the top seven.
Team rounds on Monday came in at 303 and 310 on the par-72 with a team score of 613.
The Eagles played at the Classic Club on a 6,896-yard course.
Sophomore Sam Johnston ended Monday shooting rounds of 72 and 75, with three over par-147 going into the final on Tuesday.
Johnston went on to win the individual player’s title in the final on Tuesday, bringing his individual title total to four and boosting the Eagles to second place in team finish. He shot one over par-73.
“Sam has really improved through practice and has gotten better control over the golf ball,” Lynn said. “It curves less, and he is becoming a more multi-dimensional player.”
Senior Johnny Ellis finished at 75 and 78, and junior Trey Payne posted 79 and 77, three shots behind Ellis leading in to Tuesday.
Ellis and Payne finished Tuesday in the top five – in fifth and fourth place, respectively; the team finished second behind Colorado Christian University, as CCU took top team honors.
Payne shot 73 with a total score of 229, and Ellis went for a consecutive finish of 78, bringing his round total to 231.
“Trey and Johnny are both playing solid golf,” Lynn said. “Johnny is not getting them in as quick as he likes, but the practice is making them more comfortable. It is a steady progression.”
Senior Alasdair Dalgliesh finished seventh out of 34 opponents Monday, shooting 159. Freshman Ryan Evans tied for 25th, shooting a 91 to open and following with a second round of 80.
Dalgliesh finished Tuesday in 11th with a total of 237, and Evans shot 85 to come in 26th place.
“The course was excellent and a good golf course can have a positive mental effect on a player,” Johnston said. “You cannot control all the facets in a game of golf, but confidence comes through preparation.”
Johnston is only one of six Oklahoma Christian players to ever win four individual tournament championships.
Prior to the Dallas Baptist Classic, Johnston noted the team would have to fight hard against a competitive field to bring home wins for the graduating seniors.
“We do have one tournament left this semester, and it would be great to win,” Johnston said. “It is the last tournament for two of our players in their career here with Oklahoma Christian, and we want a win for them too. We are entering a good field; we are just going to have to play really well.”
The Eagles finished sixth Monday and Tuesday, as Payne fought to take a career-best third place finish; Oklahoma Christian finished third out of the nine Heartland Conference teams competing.
Dalgliesh finished his decorated Oklahoma Christian career tied for 19th; Ellis closed his senior year tied for 59th.
For the women’s team, the Lady Eagles took eighth out of 15 teams in Kansas City.
“I think the team has made great progress this season, and I am very pleased what we have accomplished – from the first team win ever at the University of Central Oklahoma to now with such a tough schedule against all Division I and Division II tournaments,” Head Coach of Women’s Golf Greg Lynn said. “They are still young, and I think they will only get better.”
Junior Anna Arrese Cortadellas finished in the top 10 in a field of NCAA Division I competitors. Kansas marked the 24th out of 25 tournaments that Cortadellas finished in the top 10 for the Lady Eagles.
Cortadellas finished in seventh place, posting a final round 78 on the par-72 on a 6,124 yard course. Monday, Cortadellas posted two 77s, and she was nine shots away from the first place finish.
The Lady Eagles finished with a team score of 324.
Sophomore Audrey Meisch tied for 17th shooting 76 and 82 on Monday, and she closed out Tuesday with 79 for a final score of 237.
Freshman Allison Sell finished in 55th place on Tuesday posting scores of 82, 85 and 83. Fellow freshman India Matthews came in behind Sell in 56th, posting a total of 252.
Freshman Dana Todd shot a 253 and tied for 60th place with two rounds of 87 and one 79.
“Anna and Audrey shot solid scores for the conditions,” Matthews said. “It was not easy out there. Personally, I was disappointed in myself, but it has been a long semester with bad weather conditions keeping us from practicing. However, we did get our first win, and that will put us in Oklahoma Christian history. We are ready to improve and show our potential for next year.”
The Lady Eagles will not be losing any players this year and will bring back all of the current team for the fall season.
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