Online-only: Golf team places 9th at Lone Star Invitational
The golf team's run was impressive, recording their first victory since Head Coach Drew Scott was still in school while also finishing fourth at the Squire Creek Invitational.But the run, it appears, is over. With a disappointing ninth-place finish at this past weekend's Lone Star Invitational, the Owls must now look up and down the roster to determine whether or not their hot start was a once-in-a-decade fluke or if their recent falter was just a stumble on the ascent toward respectability.
Rice's three-round score of 897 (+33) left the two shots out of a respectable seventh place in the twelve-team tournament, which featured the best golf teams in Texas.
After the disheartening finish, the Owls must have a short memory, as they travel to the David Toms Invitational Oct. 26-27. The event, which will be played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Country Club of Louisiana, is hosted by Louisiana State University and, with the University of Mississippi, Pepperdine University and Southeastern Louisiana University in attendance, will feature a field even stronger than the one faced by the Owls at the Lone Star Invitational.
And that says something. Rice's ninth-place finish came behind Texas A&M, Texas, SMU, and Baylor, all top-50 teams. Junior Michael Whitehead's cumulative score of 218 (+2), which left him in a tie for 12th place, led the Owls. Whitehead's first-round 69 included five birdies, cementing the junior's status as one of the Owls' top performers this season.
Whitehead was followed by freshman Jade Scott, whose score of eight over left him a tie for 28th place. Scott's third tournament did not go as well as his first two, which saw him finish in a tie for tenth and ninth, respectively, but the freshman has still managed to play solid golf for the Owls.
Senior Michael Buttacavoli and junior Robert Burrow posted scores of 11 and 13 over-par, respectively, while sophomore Ben Thorseth shot a three-round score of 16 over-par. These tallies severely hampered Rice's chances at competition, a struggle that Head Coach Drew Scott (Wiess '98) attributed to mental issues.
"Playing against a stronger field, there was added pressure, and we ended up doing too much scoreboard-watching," Scott said. "It was a big wake up call, and we were disappointed that it had to be happen, but hopefully we use it to our benefit in the future."
The Owls were only able to count one round below par for the tournament. Despite their finish, Rice remains well over .500 and is optimistic heading into next weekend's tournament.
"The [David Toms] will be a challenge, and we need to go out and perform," Scott said. "Hopefully we'll have a short memory, and remember that we're one of the better teams.
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