IOWA WESTERN MEN'S GOLF CAPTURES THE 2024 CENTRAL KANSAS CLASSIC!!
McPherson, KS – The Reivers wrapped up the Central Kansas Classic on Tuesday, September 17th, with fourteen teams in the field. Iowa Western used a strong opening round performance to position themselves to win the championship. Central Christian was the host school, and the tournament was contested at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, KS.
Monday, September 16th was originally scheduled to be a 36-hole day. Thunderstorms rolled through in the afternoon, so the beginning of the second round was scratched. During the morning 18-hole (1st Round), Iowa Western got things going with steady play throughout the round from all five players. The Reivers posted an even par round of 280 and led after the first round by nine strokes. Iowa Western was led by sophomore Nick Slobbe with his two under par score of 68. He got help from freshman Ethan Main who fired an even par round of 70. Rounding out the scoring for Iowa Western in round one was freshman Lloyd Hughes and sophomore Ryan Lingelbach, both carding one over par 71's.
The Reivers found themselves with a comfortable lead heading into the final round on Tuesday. Conditions on Tuesday were very tricky, "the morning started out pretty calm and perfect for scoring, however after the lighting delay the conditions changed drastically", said Iowa Western Coach Ryan Norman. "Players were only one or two holes into their rounds before being called back in because of lighting in the area. After the resumption of play, the wind really picked up. This golf course is tricky without the wind, it is a target-oriented course that requires precision off the tee and with your approaches to these greens. I was proud of our guys for sticking to our game plan and grinding out a tough day. Making pars was a premium as well as avoiding the big numbers", Norman said.
Lloyd Hughes led the way for Iowa Western in the final round. He used an eagle, birdie finish to fire an even par round of 70 and securing a spot on the All-Tournament Team. He got help from Main who played steady all tournament closing with a two over par 72. Lingelbach closed with a three over par 73, and freshman Emmanuel Jensen got into the scoring with a seven over par 77. The Reivers 36-hole score of 572 (280 – 292) was good enough for an eleven-shot victory over second place and host school Central Christian.
The win was the Reivers first in just two starts this season, as they finished runner-up two weeks ago at the Blue River Classic. Iowa Western is back in action September 23rd & 24th as they host the Bent Tree Intercollegiate at Bent Tree Golf Club in Council Bluffs.