USAO’s men’s golf team began their spring season with two wins at the Top of Texas Tournament in Lubbock hosted at the Lakeridge Country Club (Par 72, 6641 yards). The Drovers came out on top with their sixth team win in program history.
The 54-hole tournament began Monday, Mar. 11 and concluded the next afternoon. USAO entered into the season ranked 32nd out of 169 NAIA teams. The tournament welcomed seven teams, including #6 Wayland Baptist University (WBU).
USAO took a five-man team, including sophomore Conner Cryer, senior Jax Brewer, sophomore Jaeden Ellis, senior Caleb Smith, and senior Tate Trotter. The team tallied rounds of 294 (+6), 297 (+9), and 290 (+2) for a total of 881 (+17). The Drovers finished six strokes ahead of #6 WBU.
This marks the first time in team history that USAO has bested multiple teams in the NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches’ Top 25, including #6 WBU and Kansas Wesleyan University, who is receiving votes.
Cryer, the team’s one bag, became the team’s eighth individual champion in program history. He had consistent rounds of 72 (E), 72 (E), and 73 (+1). Throughout the three rounds, Cryer tallied nine birdies. His competition sat a close two strokes behind him.
“It was a huge feeling of relief and satisfaction knowing that everything paid off,” Cryer said after hearing he won the tournament. “Everyone on the team knew what we were capable of doing if we performed well. So, it was no surprise, but more as a win to put USAO on the map.”
Tied for second place was Brewer, the team’s two bag, as she shot 73 (+1), 75 (+3), and 71 (-1). Brewer posted one eagle in his third round and 12 birdies across all three rounds.
Two teammates, Smith and Trotter, tied for ninth place with both ending ten over par. Smith saw trouble in his first two rounds with two scores of 78 (+6), but came back to have the best round for the team with 70 (-2). Smith saw six birdies. Trotter had consistent rounds of 76 (+4), 74 (+2), and 76 (+4), and he knocked in nine birdies.
As a team, the Drovers recorded 46 birdies with Cryer and Brewer leading with 12 each. The team also posted 60 bogeys across the three rounds.
“Some goals the team and I have are to go and compete well in next week’s tournament, which will hopefully result in another win and to break into the Top 25,” Cryer said after the tournament.
The men will carry their victory into their next tournament at Cypress Creek Golf Club in Cabot, Arkansas. The CBC Invitational is Monday, Mar. 18 through Tuesday, Mar. 19.
Emily Loughridge is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
