Men's golf finishes fifth in first tournament

The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's golf team finished fifth at the Crawford-Wade Invitational at the Tanglewood Golf Resort & Spa in Pottsboro, Texas. The team was just 8 shots back from winning this, their first tournament of the spring.

A&M-Commerce freshman Tyler Duffy shot a 76 on Tuesday for a 36-hole total of 154 (78-76). He finished tied for 7th along with fellow teammate senior Eric Westerman.

On Tuesday, Westerman improved his Monday score by six strokes and shot a total of 154 (80-74). Both Duffy and Westerman were only five spots back from a 1st place finish. Junior Dustin Gideon also finished in the top 15 with a total of 157 (79-78).

The Lions had the most birdies in the tournament with 15, with Duffy and Gideon sinking four apiece. The team also led the tournament in par 5 scoring, averaging 5.17 shots per hole.

Coach Louie Bledsoe said he was impressed with how the team played over the weekend, and felt like it was a good way to start the spring season.

"Considering how bad the weather was, I was very pleased with them," Bledsoe said.

East Central University won the tournament, as they finished the tournament with players in first and second. Travis Keeley shot a 5 over par 149 (74-75), and Zac Pool finished just two shots back.

A&M-Commerce freshman Ryan Gornto finished tied for 27th with a 159 (79-80). Fellow freshmen T.J. McColl and Darren Whitehouse also competed. McColl shot back-to-back 81 for a total of 162, tying him for 35th, while Whitehouse finished 62nd with a 177 (88-89).

Senior Danny Jun was unable to participate in the tournament because of a wrist injury. He was forced to drop out, and he got an MRI done. According to Bledsoe, it seems to be nothing serious.

The next tournament for A&M-Commerce is the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita, Texas, on March 21-23.