By RANGERS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
The Northwestern Oklahoma State men’s golf team rebounded from two tough opening tournaments to post two solid team scores during the opening day of the Midwest Spring Fling at Cottonwood Hills Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas.
The Rangers navigated the 6,890 yard course to rounds of 314-311 for a total of 625, placing them in seventh place in the 10-team field.
Murray State College will hold a commanding 30-stroke lead with a total of 585, while Alistair Snowdon of Murray State and Landon Fox of Southwestern College paced the individual scores with totals of 145.
Northwestern was led by freshman Cody Hixon, who was tied for the lead after the first round with a two-under round of 70, followed up with a 77 to sit in a tie for fourth at 147. Hixon’s round of 70 is the third round under par for the Rangers this year.
Redshirt sophomore Cole Ward continued his consistent play this spring semester with rounds of 78-79, placing him in a tie for 17th at 157.
Senior Drew Sims improved on his first round total of 82 with a 76 in the second round, good enough to sit in a tie for 19th place at 156.
Although they were unable to break into the 70’s, the other two members of the five-man team proved consistent, with freshman Parker Rehorn and Kennedale, Texas native Joah Mitchell posting totals of 163 and 165 respectively.
The Rangers got off to a slow start to their spring season after losing to Oklahoma Panhandle State in their opening match event of the season and then struggling in adverse conditions at the Dave Falconer Classic, but will use this successful day as confidence as they move closer to the Great American Conference tournament on April 23-25 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The rounds of 314 and 311 are two of the more consistent rounds the Rangers have put together on the opening day of a tournament in recent seasons.