Iowa Western Men's Golf continued their strong play on their way to victory at the Bethany College Classic hosted by Sand Creek Station Golf Club in Newton, KS. The event took place Monday, April 8th and Tuesday, April 9th.
Ethan Smith led the way for the Reivers with an outstanding performance in the opening round, firing a -6 (66). His strong play was backed up with Henry Kosmicki's +1 (73), Calen Bishop's +2 (74), and Trystan Du Plessis +3 (75). Cooper Hanson, also competing in the top five for the Reivers, closed round 1 with a +5 (77). It totaled up to an even par opening team round of 288, which was clear of the second-place team Bethany College by 8 shots, and by 9 shots over a particularly good Columbia College (MO) team.
Tuesday's final round saw more steady play from the Reivers. Du Plessis fired a very solid -2 (70) and was joined in red figures by Bishop's -1 (71). Smith closed the tournament with an even par round (72), which helped him claim the individual title and a -6 total for the tournament. This was Smith's second individual title this spring. Rounding out the team scoring was Kosmicki who fired another +1 (73). Hanson closed with a +6 (78). Overall, it tallied up to a -2 (286) final round team score, to secure the team title by 6 shots over Columbia College (MO).
IWCC also had two individuals competing in the field. Ryan Lingelbach came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with an opening round -3 (69). He would close the event with a final round +5 (77) which saw him claim a top 10 individual finish. Matt Dennis shot an opening round +2 (74) and he would back that up the final day with another +2 (74) which solidified a top 15 individual finish (14th place).
This was the Reivers second team title this spring and fourth team title of the year. It also marked the 3rd straight tournament where a Reiver has walked away as the individual champion. The Men are back in action this Sunday, April 14th and Monday, April 15th in Lincoln, NE at Hillcrest Country Club (Nebraska Wesleyan's Howl at the Hill).
