The USAO men’s golf team took an eight-man roster to Wichita, Kansas for the Crestview Fall Invitational, hosted by Friends, at the Crestview Country Club (Par 72, 6959 yards). Crestview is noted for hosting the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour “Wichita Open” every year. Despite the challenges presented by the course, four Drovers cracked the top 15. The 4th place team scored 308 (+20) in round one, 304 (+16) in round two, and 300 (+12) in round three for a total of 912 (+50).

The international powerhouse Luca Gisler put on his best performance of the season to lead the Drovers. Gisler shot 78, 75, and 72 respectively for a 9th place finish in the tournament. On his final hole of the tournament, Gisler made a huge 40ft putt from off the green to birdie and finish his impressive run to get inside the top 10

In his second round, Jax Brewer shot 71 (-1) which was the best single round for the Drovers. His 13th place finish included rounds of 77, 71, 79 to total 227 (+11). Freshman Conner Cryer is continuing to show off in his first semester of collegiate golf with rounds of 77, 78, 73 to tie for 14th with total 228 (+12).

Tate Trotter played through some tough stretches to tie for 23rd. Trotter shot 78, 80, 76 to total 234 (+18). Senior Grant Murphey fought the good fight to shoot 76, 84, 80 to total 240 (+24), leading to a 42nd place tie.

Individually, senior Caleb Smith started off impressive as through 17 holes lead the tournament. Smith fell back after shooting 72, 80, 76 to total 228 (+12) and tie for 14th place. Luke O’Dell, also played as an individual, where he shot 78, 76, 77 for an overall tied 18th place. Finally, freshman Jaeden Ellis tied for 29th after scoring 78, 84, and 75.

The team will host their first home tournament Monday, Oct. 3rd at Winter Creek Golf Course in Blanchard, OK.

Caleb Smith is a fourth-year Biology major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.