By Daniel Johnson, Sports Writer
The No. 24-ranked golf team began its spring season with a sixth-place finish at the Circle C Golf Club for the St. Edwards Spring Invitational in Austin on Monday and Tuesday.
With all 15 teams of the tournament in the Wildcats’ region, including six out of the top 24 teams in the nation, this tournament was substantial to regional rankings and future outlook for the regional tournament later in the season, said head coach Mike Campbell.
“We really finished where our ranking would dictate,” Campbell said. “With the windy weather and difficult course set-up and pin positions, scores were higher for everybody.”
In the face of a difficult course and distracting conditions, the Wildcats tabulated a combined score of 62 over par in Austin.
Junior Kyle Byerly and freshman Patrick Hanauer each led the Wildcats with each led the Wildcats with a score of 14 over par for a tenth place tie out of 80 golfers. Freshman Hilton Funk and sophomore Curtis Harris were next in line for ACU, tying for 25th with an overall score of 19 over par. Junior Cian Daly, who had the team’s lowest scoring average last fall, was unable to match his past successes with a 52nd place finish at 30 over par.
“I feel I could have done better on a lot of holes, but with the conditions and course setup being so thorough, you really can’t beat yourself up for not playing your best.” Byerly said.
For Campbell, this mediocre finish is an unsettling start to an optimistic spring season. Campbell will rely on consistent play from top 10 finishers Byerly and Hanauer along with fall season star Daly to carry the team to success in regionals and giving the Wildcats a shot at nationals. Despite Daly’s unsuccessful first tournament, Campbell said he is expecting him to relive his fall success and step up as a leader for the upcoming tournaments and challenges.
“I am not disappointed with our performance, but we all know we can play better than we did,” Campbell said. “We will keep improving and working hard, and there is no satisfaction at the least with where we have come so far.”
