The steady improvement of the Fort Lewis College golf program was on display at the season-opening tournaments.
Competing at the Colorado State-Pueblo Farmers Insurance Sam Proal Invitational at Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo, the Skyhawks men’s team finished fifth out of eight teams, and the women claimed ninth out of 14 schools.
Leading the way for the FLC programs was Matt Huntley, who finished in a tie for third after scoring three-consecutive rounds of 1-under-par 71. His score of 3-under through three rounds matched the totals of Karson O’Keefe of Minot State and Witchayapat Sinsrang of Dodge City Community College.
Huntley was only one shot away from matching CSU Pueblo’s Jake Ice and Neil Tillman atop the leaderboard. CSU-Pueblo won the team competition with a final score of 866, finishing eight strokes better than Dodge City. The Skyhawks shot 888.
Michael Thomas finished tied for 17th overall at 8-over 224. Hugh Taylor finished tied for 21st another stroke back. Mitch Donley’s 231 was good for 30th, and Tyler Blohm finished tied for 41st at 234.
FLC women’s team, which is only in its third year as a varsity program, was led by freshman Summer Vigil. She finished in a tie for seventh overall after a two-round total of 10-over 154. Isabella Martinez tied for 48th at 175, and Shelby Hindes shot 181 to finish tied for 54th. Rounding out the FLC women was Lauren Trujillo and Lindsey Blythe. Trujillo tied for 61st at 188, and Blythe tied for 64th at 192.
The FLC women shot 698 as a team. West Texas A&M won the women’s competition at 611, eight strokes ahead of Metro State. West Texas A&M’s Mattye Mason led the charge with a winning score of 2-over 146.
Both teams will hit the road again. The women will play the opening Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament next week at Murphy Creek Golf Club in Aurora. That is hosted by Regis University. The men also will open RMAC play in two weeks at Ravena Golf Club in Lakewood in a tournament hosted by Colorado Christian.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
