Odessa College Wins Home Tournament by 18 Strokes
The Odessa College golf team wrapped up the fall portion of its season with a strong performance at its home tournament.
The Wranglers finished with an 18-shot victory over New Mexico Junior College on Tuesday at the Odessa Country Club's Links Course after a final round of 278, bringing the team total 865.
"We have a very talented group of sophomores and then you throw Parker Beaty in there and he's just fit right in," OC head coach Paul Chavez said. "It's just one of those where everyone got hot at the time."
Wranglers' sophomore Augustine Hole won the individual medalist with a total of 3-under-par 213 to win by a shot over his teammates Adam Blomme and Van Thomas.
"It was a great day and a great tournament to finish the year," Hole said. "Everybody did well during the fall. This tournament showed that we can win any tournament. It showed the potential we have."
The victory sends the Wranglers into their winter break on a positive note.
"It's great to see, especially at the end of the fall. Hopefully we carry that all the way through the spring season," Chavez said. "Everyone knows golf is a mental game and any time you can put up some great numbers, it's going to build confidence. It's one of those things where everyone believes in each other. Any one of those players can put up a great score."
Dustin Lewis finished in 12th place for the Wranglers with a score of 227. Beaty tied for 15th a three-round total of 231.
Midland College finished in third place a shot behind NMJC. Stefan Cronje was the low finisher for the Chaparrals in fourth place at even par.
Western Texas College came in fourth place and Odessa College's B squad finished in fifth.
The Wranglers will be off until their spring season begins in February with their sights again set on the stretch run toward a national title in May.
"That's the only tournaments we care about," Hole said, referring to the conference, regional and national tournament. "We want to win these three and I think we can do it. The team spirit is really good. During the winter, we're going to have some work to do. Everyone is going to try and see their coaches and work on it. But I think we're on the way to progress.
"Everybody is getting better and better every day. So we just need to keep doing what we're doing."
Article by Joshua Perry OA.