George Scanlon (left) tied for third place.Final Results PUEBLO, Colo. – Led by a pair of sophomores, the Wayland Baptist men's golf team came away with the title at the fall season-opening Farmers Insurance Sam Proal Invitational. Following rounds of 281 and 286 Monday, the seventh-ranked Pioneers turned in a 289 Tuesday for a three-round total of 8-under 856, good for a five-shot win over Lewis University of Chicago.
"Getting a win is good, certainly," WBU coach
Tom Harp said after the tournament at Walking Stick Golf Course. "Most of the guys are the same as last year. We're a good team. The guys are solid."
WBU held a slim two-shot lead over Lewis after Monday's rounds then gained seven more strokes Tuesday. A total of nine teams participated.
"The guys had moments of spectacular golf."
Especially
George Scanlon, who followed up a 5-under 67 with rounds of 71 and 72 for a 6-under 210, tying him for third place in the 48-player field. Alex Thode of Lewis (67-68-68—203) won it at 13-under.
"George had an incredible round, and it was far better than the scorecard said," Harp said. "It was a special round."
Another sophomore,
Andrew Williamson, shot 73-68-72 for a 3-under 213, good for seventh place.
"Andrew's 68 was superb," Harp said.
Seniors
Ian Ansett (71-72-74—217) and
Tristan Cottrell (70-78-72—220) finished ninth and 10
th, respectively, while junior
Steven Diack (75-75-73—223) tied for 13
th. Playing as an individual, freshman
William Walker (71-76-83—230), tied for 13
th after Monday, finished tied for 31
st after struggling Tuesday.
"William had a really good first round," Harp said. "The guys came through at different times. Stephen and Tristan struggled early today but both played their last 5-7 holes really well. It was neat to see those guys hang tough and battle back."
The Pioneers are next in action Sept. 14 and 15 at the Ryan Palmer Invitational at Amarillo's Tascosa Country Club, the second of their three fall tournaments.
"This is something to build on," Harp said. "These guys will continue to get better throughout the year. It's a talented bunch."
