Busters golf in 2nd at OPSU invite
3/12/2013
By ADAM HOLT
aholt@gctelegram.com
The Garden City Community College golf team was in second place after the first day of the Oklahoma Panhandle State Spring Invitational at Buffalo Dunes on Monday.
The Broncbusters shot a 311 to finish six strokes back of Day 1 leader Bethany College. Pittsburg State was in third with a 321, while Kansas Wesleyan (323) and Dodge City Community College (332) rounded out the top five.
"I think they played OK," GCCC assistant coach Cole Wasinger said. "The golf course was set up pretty tough. We played the all the way back tees, and there were some tough pin placements there."
Garden City's Will Paulsell was third individually with a 3-over-par 75, while Zach Dunlap and Trey Fankhouser were tied for sixth with 6-over 78s. Ben Johnson of Bethany led with a 1-under 71, while teammate Jose Lelode Larrea was just behind with an even-par 72. Dunlap had an eagle and four birdies.
Camrin Nissen was tied for eighth with an 80, while Matthew LeGrange was tied for 12th with an 81. The top four scores for each team count toward the team score.
The weekend's weather affected the Busters, as they weren't able to go out and practice, and conditions were a bit tough following Sunday's snow. Today's forecast called for partly cloudy skies and a high of 52.
"Hopefully, the weather will cooperate tomorrow," Wasinger said. "The guys got another round under their belt. They did a little bit of practicing after they got done with the tournament. Hopefully, tomorrow they'll be (in) a little bit better frame of mind, and they'll putt the ball a little bit better."
Being back of Bethany is a familiar sight for Garden City. Over the weekend, the Busters came in second at the Swede Spring Invitational, hosted by Bethany, which came in first, seven strokes ahead of GCCC with a score of 597.
Dunlap and Fankhouser tied for first in the event with matching 3-over 144s.
Garden City also entered a B team in this week's OPSU invite, which was in sixth with a 344. Nick Mann led the squad with a 13-over 85, which was tied for 26th; Boone Wells and Trenton Nevola shot 88s; and Lane Sherer shot an 89.
Northwestern Oklahoma State at 344 and Oklahoma Panhandle State at 382 rounded out the eight-team field at the Dunes.
Today's final round was scheduled to start teeing off at 10 a.m., and the Busters were hoping to make a push for the lead.
"I would hope that," Wasinger said. "We figure, six shots, we only count four scores. About one and a half shots a guy. We'll be playing with Bethany tomorrow, so hopefully we can make a little push to get back in position to try to win the tournament."