The ACU golf team played in the Querencia Cabo Collegiate tournament this last week in Los Cabos, Mexico. The Division II’s third ranked team finished sixth after the competition was shortened due to consistent heavy rain.

“The team really performed well considering the conditions and competition we went up against,” senior Alex Carpenter said. “We were all bummed that the tournament was cancelled because we felt that we could have done better with more holes to play.”

The tournament was reduced to twelve holes in one day of competition after two days of severe rain dropped on the fields. The rain was not the only obstacle for the team, as the golf course proved to be one of the hardest the team has ever faced.

“The course was probably one of the toughest courses we’ll ever face as a team,” sophomore Corbin Renner said. “When you take a course of that difficulty, and then add the horrible rain to it, it becomes a very hard tournament.”

As a team, the Wildcats shot fifteen over par (303) to give them a three stroke lead over seventh place UT-Arlington. ACU was led by senior Alex Carpenter who shot par (72), good enough to tie for second place individually.

“It was a tough course with tough conditions, but I’m happy on how I did,” Carpenter said.

Junior Trey Sullivan and sophomore Corbin Renner also finished strong. They both shot a three over par (75) which tied them for seventeenth place individually.

“Trey and Corbin both did really well,” Carpenter said. “Everyone has shown this year that they really love the game and have a passion to do their best.”

On top of a difficult course and extreme weather conditions, ACU also faced stiff competition in which they were the only Division II team in the tournament. They took on ranked teams like No. 20 Florida State and No. 25 Saint Mary’s of California.

“Coach (Mike Campbell) has really gotten us prepared for Division I competition,” Renner said. “We have faced a lot of competitive teams this year and it has helped us mentally and physically work on our games. I’m proud of how the team competed under all the circumstances this week.”

Since the move to Division I next year will require the team to sit out of the playoffs for the next few seasons, the Wildcats are hungrier than ever for a national championship title.

“We have all taken on the saying that this is our year,” Renner said. “This is our year to win a title and bring it home for ourselves and ACU.”

The Wildcats return to action this weekend, Oct. 22 to 23, for the Bruce Williams Memorial in San Antonio.