By JACLYN BURKE
Student Reporter
Northwestern Oklahoma State University men’s and women’s golf teams continue to make the last two rounds of tournaments count, despite struggles in the first round.
The women’s team finished tenth at the Great American Conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Oct. 12 and 13.
Jay Lee coached the women at the last tournament and said he was pleased with their performances overall.
“They improved on their score from day one and that’s what I asked them to shoot for. Almost every player bettered their score from the first round as well, which is always a good thing.” Lee said.
The men’s team finished ninth at the Newman Invitational in Wichita Kan. on October 12 and 13.
Trevor Montgomery, a junior from Bristow, Okla. was hoping to put together a score that would put the team in the top five by the end of the tournament. “Unfortunately, we were not able to make that happen, but we were able to rebound on the next two rounds and shoot respectable scores,” Montgomery said.
The team still strives to improve their first round scores, which should allow them to be in a position to finish towards the top. “As a team, we are looking at putting together 3 rounds under 310 at our next tournament. Hopefully we can all play well and get a sub-300 number on the board,” Montgomery said.
Cole Ward, a sophomore, said, “I think we got better every day during the last tournament, but we need to improve greatly on all aspects of our games.”
The men’s head coach, Kyle Ward, said despite the rocky start, “Our final round score would have had us in the middle of the pack and our new guys and freshman really stepped up and gave us some scores we could keep.”
The men and women Ranger golf teams’ next tournament will be the Northwestern Invitational on Oct. 25 and 26 in Enid, Okla.
Montgomery said the goal for Enid is to shoot low as a team. He said, “The last time we played the course in Enid we put together a very solid team score.” Montgomery said if the team can do this again, then they will been in a good position to finish in the top three spots.
Cole Ward said he looks forward to the tournament in Enid because the women’s team is playing there too. He said, “I think we will have our best tournament scores in Enid. We all like the course a lot and feel comfortable there.”
Lee said he looks forward to the upcoming meet in Enid because it is close enough to travel back and forth from. “It’s a course that our players have played and know very well. That should give us an advantage,” he said.
Kyle Ward said, “We have never hosted anything this large and we have a very competitive field coming. Our guys are ready and have played this course before, so look for them to make a statement to end the fall season.”
Both teams will be back in action on Sunday and Monday in Enid, Okla. for their last tournament of the 2015 year, the Northwestern Invitational.
The Rangers look forward to finishing the year on a high note.