Hugh Taylor capped off a brilliant men’s college golf season Tuesday with an all-conference selection.
The Fort Lewis College junior from Brisbane, Australia, finished in a tie for fourth place at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men’s Championship at Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona.
Taylor finished the tournament 1-over-par with a three-round total of 214. He was nine strokes behind champion Colin Prater of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Colorado Christian’s Chase Carlson was second at 4-under, and Jordan McBrayer of Regis placed third at 2-under. Taylor tied with Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Jake Ice for fourth.
“Congrats to Hugh on a strong fourth-place finish individually,” FLC head coach Guy Begay said in a news release.
Taylor got it done on the par-5s all week, as he finished 6-under for the tournament on par-5s. That was tied for tops in the tournament, and his three eagles were the best in the field.
FLC’s men’s team finished fifth place out of eight RMAC teams. The Skyhawks posted a team total of 19-over 871. UCCS won at 9-over 861. Colorado Christian was second at 12-over, and Colorado Mesa was third at 13-over.
Tyler Blohm finished in a five-way tie for 11th for FLC at 4-over 217 and played steady golf with 40 pars. Matt Huntley tied for 16th at 6-over 219 and led the tournament with 42 pars, and senior Michael Thomas gave the Skyhawks a fourth top-25 finisher at 8-over 221. He finished in a four-way tie for 23rd thanks to 10 birdies.
FLC senior Mitch Donley tied for 38th in the 45-man field at 18-over 231.
“This was a crazy year in the RMAC for men’s golf,” Begay said. “This isn’t how we would have liked it to end, but not a bad fifth place finish with such a strong field. It’s sad to see both Mitch and Mike’s career come to an end but thankful for what they’ve brought to this team through their careers at Fort Lewis. We’re even happier they’re leaving FLC with a degree in hand.”
The Skyhawks’ women’s team finished in ninth place out of 12 RMAC teams. FLC shot 125-over 701 through two rounds of team golf. Regis won the tournament at 40-over 616. CSU-Pueblo was second at 48-over, and UCCS took third at 58-over.
The individual championship was won by Jacquelyn Porman of CSU-Pueblo, who finished at 3-over 147. That was two strokes better than Alex Darwin of UCCS and three better than third place Grace Marie Schian of Regis.
The FLC women were led by Isabella Martinez, who bounced back from a tough 87 on Monday with a 75 Tuesday to finish at 18-over 162. That was good for a tie for 18th.
Summer Vigil tied for 23rd for FLC. She shot consecutive rounds of 82 to finish 20-over. She also led the team with four birdies.
Lindsey Blythe tied for 53rd at 43-over, and Judith Camacho was 56th in the 58-golfer field at 44-over.
“We played a tough golf course,” Coach Begay said. “This is the most water they’ve seen all year. They played well and I’m proud of them for that. It’s good to see Isabella back to form with her final round. We’re so proud of Lindsey for all she’s done for this team and happy to see her graduate from FLC.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
