BLINN MEN’S GOLF WINS TYLER INVITATIONAL; BLINN WOMEN FINISH 5TH
The 14th-ranked Blinn College men’s golf team captured the Tyler Junior College Spring Invitational title Monday at Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard, Texas.
The Buccaneers finished first with a team score of 583 in the two-day, eight-team tournament, shooting a combined 7-over par.
“It was a great team win for the guys,” Blinn men’s and women’s head coach David Johnson said. “They played boring golf, which is great. There were lots of pars, a few birdies, and no big numbers.”
Sophomore Hunter McDonough won the tournament with a 3-under par performance. Of the 52 competitors on the course, McDonough was the only golfer to finish below par. He fired a 69 on Sunday and a 72 on Monday.
Blinn freshman Van Miller tied for third at 2-over; sophomore Cameron Gray was fifth at 3-over; freshman Carson Wray tied for sixth at 5-over; and freshmen Sam Sewell and Cameron Hubbard finished tied for ninth at 6-over.
“I felt like we played great,” McDonough said. “We hit fairways and greens, we didn’t post any big numbers; we’d just get our par and walk to the next tee.
“I think we’re going to be very solid these next few tournaments because we’ve got a lot of momentum after a big performance.”
Blinn’s blue team also played well, finishing third overall.
The Blinn women, ranked 15th nationally, finished fifth with a two-day total of 734.
Johnson said the women bounced back from a tough day Sunday and boosted their scores on the final day of play.
“Several of the ladies improved their scores by six to 10 shots in the second round; that is always what you’re looking for,” Johnson said. “We know they will get back to work and will be looking forward to the next tournament.”
Freshman Holly Paterson led Blinn with a seventh-place tie out of 39 golfers. She finished 28-over par. Also in the top 20 were freshman Yulisa Espinoza (tied for 15th) and sophomore Madeline Goad (17th).
The men’s and women’s teams will resume play Monday, March 21, with the two-day Centenary Hall Sutton Invite in Bossier City, La.
(story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information)