The Skyhawks were blown off-course Tuesday in Garden City, Kan., but it didn’t have much to do with their golf game.
The third round of the Fort Lewis College men’s golf team’s spring season opener was canceled because of stiff winds.
“Couldn’t keep the balls on the putting greens,” FLC head coach Bud Andersen said.
After a “perfect” Monday morning, FLC began play Day 2 on Tuesday in 20-mph winds through 10 or 11 holes, Andersen said, then the wind picked up to 30-40-mph, and that’s when organizers called the Central Regional Crossover, co-hosted by Colorado School of Mines and Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Colorado Mines, which led the tournament after two rounds, won the 16-team tournament with a 573, 15 strokes better than CSU-Pueblo. Michael Lee of Colorado Mines was crowned medalist with a 139 through two rounds.
FLC finished 11th at 298-301 at Buffalo Dunes Golf Club.
“I was pleased with the way we played,” Andersen said. “It’s an early tournament for us.”
Lucas Laudick led the Skyhawks with a 74-74–148 to tie for 22nd place. Bryan Schlichter shot a 149 for 29th-place tie, Michael Thomas a 150 for a 36th-place tie, Dillon Washburn a 156 for a 60th-place tie and Josh Woodworth a 160 for a 74th-place tie.
Clark Reidberger, an FLC senior from Pagosa Springs, shot a 75-73–148 in an unaffiliated role.
“They didn’t play terrible,” Andersen said. “Typically, we don’t start this early. I was pleased; it was encouraging.”
FLC next will host the Dr. Troy Bledsoe Skyhawk Classic Club Shootout on March 31-April 1 at The Classic Club in Palm Springs, Calif.
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