USAO’s men’s golf team returned to their home course for the second annual Battle at Winter Creek Tournament, hosted Monday, Oct. 2 through Tuesday, Oct. 3 in Blanchard. Winter Creek Golf and Country Club (Par 72, 7060 yards) hosted seven men’s teams for the tournament, with USAO including an A and B team.
USAO’s A team tallied rounds of 305, 301, and 302 for a total of 908 (+44) and earned the title of tournament champions. Of USAO’s nine players, five were on the A team, including Jax Brewer, Conner Cryer, Jaeden Ellis, Cooper Hardison, and Caleb Smith.
Cryer finished 2nd in the tournament, a mere three strokes behind Kitsakon Jairak from Central Baptist College (CBC). All three of Cryer’s rounds contributed to the team’s score, with rounds of 75 (+3), 76 (+4), and 71 (-1). Throughout the 36 holes, Cryer saw seven birdies.
“I was just staying consistent and letting things happen. I was not trying to force anything. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring home the individual win, but winning as a team is more important,” Cryer said.
Hardison, a freshman, placed 5th overall with scores of 74 (+2), 79 (+7), and 77 (+5) – with all three going towards the team score. Hardison saw five birdies in his three rounds, along with an eagle on hole 5 of his final round.
Ellis tied for 6th after shooting 76 (+4), 81 (+9), and 75 (+3). He also tallied seven birdies. Smith finished 10th with scores of 80 (+8), 71 (-1), and 82 (+10). Smith earned a team high with ten birdies in his 36 holes. Brewer rounded off the team with a tied 11th place finish after shooting 80 (+8), 75 (+3), and 79 (+7).
USAO’s B team placed 4th after rounds of 308, 312, and 325 for a total of 945 (+81). The B team was comprised of Tate Trotter, Tucker McDonald, Luca Gisler, and Luke O’Dell.
Trotter tied for 3rd place with scores of 73 (+1), 78 (+6), and 77 (+5). Alongside Brewer, O’Dell finished tied for 11th after rounds of 77 (+5), 77 (+5), and 80 (+8). Closely following, Gisler tied for 15th after shooting 74 (+2), 78 (+6), and 85 (+13). McDonald rounded off the B team with rounds of 84 (+12), 79 (+7), and 83 (+11).
“My goal for the next tournament is to play well as a team and get into contention. A big goal for the team would be to get back-to-back wins,” Cryer said. “We are playing a course in which we are very familiar with and will also be playing for our conference championship.”
For their last in-state tournament this season, the Drovers will head to Duncan to play The Hrnciar tournament at the Territory Golf and Country Club Monday, Oct. 16 through Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Emily Loughridge is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
