OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State men's golf team concluded their first tournament of the season with a record-breaking performance at the Great American Conference Preview held at Lake Hefner Golf Club's North Course.
The Rangers recorded a final round team score of 290 to set the new school record for lowest team finish in a three-round event. That record number of 876 (297-289-290) placed the Rangers in ninth place, bettering the previous low team total by more than 10 strokes.
Senior Cole Ward got his senior season in the Black and Red rolling with a three-under par round of 69 that paced the Rangers on the afternoon. Ward's low collegiate round brought his three-day total to 217 (76-72-69) and placed him in 29th place. Ward made the largest jump up the leaderboard on the afternoon, moving up 14 spaces on the individual leaderboard.
That leaderboard showcased the immense talent that the GAC will provide this season, with eight teams finishing under par for the tournament, including a 36-under par team performance from Southeastern Oklahoma State. That 36-under par number was bested only by Oklahoma Christian, who took home the team title with a 40-under par team total of 824. Southeastern's Hayden Foster garnered individual honors with a three-round total of 18-under par 198 (64-69-65).
The Rangers featured two more under-par rounds in the third round of competition, including Tulsa, Okla. native Parker Rehorn, who birdied three out of his final four holes to card a round of 71. Rehorn's round of 71 placed him one shot back of Ward in a tie for 30th place at 218 (74-73-71). Freshman Keiton Hoster, competing as an individual, also entered the red numbers with another round of 71 and finished in a tie for 41st place at 221 (75-75-71).
Maypearl, Texas and Kerrville, Texas natives Tyler Berryhill and Ben Snelgrovealso impressed in their inaugural round as Rangers, firing three-day totals of 220 (72-74-74) and 223 223 (77-70-76) to finish in ties for 38th and 43rd place. The freshman trio of Berryhill, Hoster, and Snelgrove proved that the foundation of Ranger golf is in good hands for years to come.
Sophomore Cody Hixon carded a round of 78 in the final round at Lake Hefner to move his three-day total to 227 (75-74-78) and will be ready to improve on those numbers as he moves throughout the year following a solid opening campaign after an impressive freshman season.
Individual competitors Clayton Davison and Colten Person also competed well for head coach Aaron Ford's squad throughout the tournament, posting totals of 228 (80-75-73) and 224 (74-73-77) respectively.
The men's golf team will have a quick tournament as they head back south to Shawnee, Okla. to compete in the St. Gregory Invitational at Shawnee Country Club on Sept. 18-19.
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