Photo by: Henoc Kivuye
Freshman India Matthews took a second-place individual finish in the Southwest Classic, while sophomore Sam Johnston secured his fourth individual tournament title and led the Eagles golf squad to a second-place finish in the Dr. Troy Bledsoe Skyhawk Classic Club Shootout in Palm Desert, Calif.
“The importance of this tournament is to get another win under our belts,” senior Alasdair Dalgliesh said after the first day of the tournament on Monday. “We have not had a win yet this semester.”
On Monday, the Eagles were neck and neck with Colorado Christian University until the end of the day.
Oklahoma Christian was in first place at the start of the match Tuesday, with Colorado Christian only one point away. CCU gradually pulled ahead in the tournament through steady shooting. Colorado Christian finished with a final score of 915, while Oklahoma Christian had 922.
“Conditions were very tough today with high winds … so I thought the team did all right,” Dalgliesh said. “We definitely have a lot more in us.”
While the wind was strong the first day, the field looked good during the tournament, according to Head Men’s Golf Coach David Lynn.
“The quality of the golf course was great,” Lynn said. “We’re here at Palm Desert and the course is very expensive, very nice. It was a great opportunity for our guys to come out and play on it; a real treat.”
The Lady Eagles started off strong in the Southwest Classic tournament, taking an early lead, but were unable to hold it through Monday. Oklahoma Christian led the tournament in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, but tripped up on the last two holes at the end of the first day. The Lady Eagles finished 10-over-par 72.
Oklahoma Christian started Tuesday’s final round seven shots behind the ultimate champion, Tarleton State University. They ended with a final-round score of 325 and a tournament score of 640 – landing them in fifth place in the Southwest Classic.
Tarleton State (ranked No. 3) was the overall champion with a final score of 625.
Matthews placed second with a final score of 153, four shots behind tournament medalist Sharon Lau of Tarleton State.
Matthews and Dalgliesh both received NCCAA golf student-athlete of the week on March 26. Matthews was tied for second in the Southwest Classic tournament at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Apple Rock Golf Course.
“It’s nice to be recognized for last week’s tournament,” Dalgliesh said on Monday.
Dalgliesh was seventh in the 34-man field at 159, after shooting a 77 and an 82 on Monday.
Junior Trey Payne posted his career-best fourth-place finish, while sophomore Sam Johnston reached a milestone of his own.
“Johnston just won his fourth college tournament; that’s pretty positive,” Lynn said. “He’s been playing very solid golf, all the guys have been playing well, but that is pretty significant for him. He has worked very hard the past month and it’s nice to see it pay off.”
Going in, Matthews said she felt confident about the women’s Southwest Classic tournament, noting Texas’ recent weather conditions were preferable by far to Oklahoma’s.
“There’s a strong field out here, so I think it’s important to go out and play the best we can, and to prove not only to ourselves but to everyone else our potential,” Matthews said before the game on Monday. “I’ve heard the course is quite intimidating, so I think it’s important for us to be confident and trust our games out there.”
Matthews shot a 73 to lead the field; she recorded four birdies over a span of eight holes in the opening day of the tournament, while freshman Dana Todd shot a 75 and had two birdies in one round. She was in third place the first day of the tournament.
“We are all key players, because four out of our five players need to produce good scores to have a shot at winning the tournament,” Matthews said.
Sophomore Audrey Meisch shot an 83 to finish tied for 20th, while freshman Allison Sell’s 83 earned her 31st. Additionally, a running record in the women’s golf program came to an end; junior Anna Arrese Cortadellas finished outside the top 10 for the first time in 23 tournaments.
“As I said, it’s a strong field, possibly the strongest we’ve played against,” Matthews said. “Every shot is going to count.”
Matthews was proven right – the final shots were the ones that decided the tournament.
“For this coming season our goals are to work hard and get better every week,” Lynn said. “Of course winning tournaments and keeping control of our motion on a day-to-day are both important.”
Both the men’s and women’s golf teams said they hope to end things well this season.
“With only one tournament left this season, our goal is to win that tournament and end what has been a good year overall for a new-looking lineup,” Dalgliesh said.
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