Drovers Defend Home Turf and Win Battle at Winter Creek
BLANCHARD, Okla. – On Monday and Tuesday, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma men's golf team earned their first team victory of the season at the Battle at Winter Creek. The win marks the third time that the Drovers have defended their home turf at the Battle at Winter Creek championship since 2020.
The course at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club was a scenic and challenging 7060-yard, par 72 layout and the Drovers completed with a three-round score of 873 (289, 291, 293). The tournament featured the strongest field in the history of the tournament, with four teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Top 25 poll (#3 Texas Wesleyan, #18 Oklahoma City, RV USAO, RV Southwestern Christian).
In the triumph, three Drovers placed in the top 10 as individuals. Conner Cryer led the Drovers with a fantastic runner-up performance, concluding the tournament 9-under par, with a three-round total of 207 (70, 68, 69). Cooper Hardison finished in a tie for third with a score of 217 (73, 72, 72), followed by Jaeden Ellis in a tie for eighth with a total of 219 (71, 73, 75).
Luca Gisler finished in 14th with a score of 222 (78, 69, 75), and Parker Pogue was close behind in 19th with a total of 227 (74, 78, 75). Tucker McDonald closed in 26th with a 232 (78, 77, 77), and Luke O'Dell carded a 234 (76, 70, 88) to finish in 29th. Tate Trotter fired a 237 (77, 73, 87) to finish in 32nd.
PREVIOUS USAO MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (8)
Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 4, 2023
Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
CBC Invitational – March 19, 2024
Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 15, 2024
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (10)
Caleb Nichols - Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Gage Gibson – Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Gage Gibson – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Caleb Smith – College of the Ozarks Spring Invitational – March 16, 2021
Caleb Smith – Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Grant Murphey – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 5, 2022
Jax Brewer – Crestview Invitational – Sept. 19, 2023
Conner Cryer – Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
Conner Cryer – CBC Invitational – March 19, 2024
Conner Cryer – Texas Intercollegiate – September 10, 2024
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will return to the course on October 21-22 as they compete at the The Hrnciar, hosted by Cameron University. The tournament will be held at the Territory Golf Club in Duncan, Okla.
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