Men's Golf Opens Up the Spring Season in Wichita
Wichita, KS – The Iowa Western Men's Golf team kicked off their spring campaign in Wichita, Kansas this past Monday and Tuesday. Friends University played host to the Crestview Spring Invitational held at the beautiful Crestview Country Club. The event saw 13 teams competing and a total of 78 individuals.
Monday's action consisted of 36 holes (Round 1 and 2). The Reivers got out to a sizzling start in their first action since fall. In total the Reivers combined to make19 birdies and 2 eagles, on their way to posting a 1-under par 287 team score which saw them sitting in 2nd place out of the 13-team field. Iowa Western was led by sophomore Bowdie Fox with a steady round totaling 2-under par (70). Not far behind was another sophomore Nick Slobbe, who carded a 1-under par (71). The Reivers rounded out the scoring for round 1 with sophomore Ryan Lingelbach carding 1-over par (73), and freshman Ethan Main coming in at 1-over par (73) as well.
In the afternoon, the Reivers again came out ready to play. This time all the Reivers competing combined for 22 birdies during round 2. Freshman Lloyd Hughes would jump up and lead the team with a solid even par round of (72). Main continued his steady play equaling his morning round (73). Slobbe would card a 2-over par (74), and Lingelbach posted a 5-over par (77). Iowa Western would card a second-round score of 296 and found themselves in 3rd place.
On Tuesday, 18 holes would decide the championship. The Reivers had two freshmen get off to hot starts. Main found himself at 4-under par through 12 holes, Hughes found himself at 3-under par through 12 holes. Iowa Western was battling to find two more scores to help their two low rounds they had going. In the end Main would hole a beautiful uphill right to left breaking putt from 10' at the home hole to post a 5-under par round (67), which was good enough to secure a t4 finish and earn him All-Tournament Team honors. Hughes would give a few back on his way in, closing with one-over par (73) which secured him a top 10 finish at 9th overall. Lingelbach concluded his tournament with at 4-over par (76), and Slobbe would round out the scoring with a 6-over par (78). Iowa Western would post 294 in the final round, which saw them finish in 3rd place out of 13 teams. All the Reivers top 5 competitors finished top 17 of the 78-player field.
The Crestview Spring Invitational also allowed the Reivers to play two individuals. Freshman Sam Wahman seeing his first action with the varsity squad competing as an individual, would post 79-74-77 and place him 27th overall. Another freshman Sam Wells who battled flu like symptoms for much of the tournament, competed as in individual and carded 80-78-75 which was good enough to finish in 30th place.
"I was pleased with the golf I saw at times out there this week. I think we have matured as a group. We stuck to our game plan even when adversity hit, which is a particularly good sign. The guys did not try to force anything and took advantage of the opportunities they gave themselves. We can learn from this event to help us move forward this spring. We need to tidy up the golf execution, work on our focus for the entire round, and learn how to close the last 4-5 holes. If we can do that, we will have an extremely exciting spring season," said Iowa Western Director of Player Development, Ryan Norman.
**A fun fact – Crestview Country Club also plays host to the Wichita Open, which is an annual stop on the Korn Ferry Tour!
Iowa Western has next week off, and then will head to Enid, Oklahoma and compete at the Oakwood Intercollegiate hosted by Dodge City CC at Oakwood Country Club.