The Drover’s men’s golf team is back in a groove this spring season with the Swinging Eagle Invitational in Shawnee, OK. After surviving a tornado which passed a quarter of mile away and knocked out the power at the Drover’s hotel, the men showed up to Shawnee Country Club (6979 yards, par 71) which hosted the 54-hole tournament. In a field of 14 teams the Drover’s battled to a 4th place finish with a 299, 294, 306 to total 899 (+47).

Leading the way for the team was senior Caleb Smith, who finished 5th place with a solid couple days of short game to sink ten birdies. Smith shot scores of 74, 71, 75 to total 220 (+7). With a tied 6th finish junior Tate Trotter was pounding the rock of the tee coming in with a 74, 73, 75 to total 223 (+10). Freshmen Conner Cryer played solidly to finish tied at 12th and maintain his impressive first year by shooting 77, 73, 74 to total 224 (+11). Jax Brewer, whose sophomore year has been a big one, finished tied at 28th and continues to beam bright with his round of 77, 74, 82 to total 233 (+20). Freshman Jaeden Ellis battled hard to get in his scores of 79, 77, 83 to total 239 (+27) and finish tied at 42nd.

Heading up the individuals on the Drover squad was Battle of Winter Creek champion Grant Murphey who finished tied at 8th with a score of 77, 72, 74 to total 223 (+10). The Swiss legend Luca Gisler finish with rounds of 79, 81, 79 to total 239 (+23) and tie at 42nd. Sophomore Luke O’Dell played hard to earn a tied 44th finsh with rounds of 81, 76, 83 to total 240 (+27).

The Drover’s men golf team will be swinging back into action at the Allen B. Pease Classic at Rose Creek Golf Course in Oklahoma City starting March 27th.

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