Men's Golf Finishes 4th at Fall Koala Invite

WAGRAM, N.C. - The Columbia College men's golf team finished in 4th place out of 10 schools at their annual Fall Koala Invite on Monday and Tuesday at Deercroft Country Club in the sandhills of North Carolina.

The Koalas shot a 13-over 301 in round one Monday and a 12 over 300 in round 2 on Tuesday to finish at 25 over 601. CIU won the tournament followed by Johnson and Bluefield in the top three. The Columbia B team finished in a tie for 8th at 655.

Freshman Parker Gordish led the men with his 3rd place finish at 1 under par as he shot a 3 under 69 in round one and a 2 over 74 in round two to finish at 1-under 143. Freshman Daniel Freese then shot an even par 72 on Monday but fell to an 80 on Tuesday to finish at 8-over 152 and a tie for 13th.

Freshman Brandon Russ then came in third for the Koalas placing 18th overall after rounds of 80 and 73 as he improved by a terrific 7 shots on day two. Junior Ryan Lord then shot rounds of 81 and 73 to place 23rd overall as he also drastically improved in round two by 8 shots to finish at 10-over 154. Finishing 35th overall was then sophomore Josh Brown as he recorded back to back rounds of 80 to end up at 16 over 160 and complete the scoring for the Koala men. 

Also playing in the tournament were sophomores Gavin Ratliff and Jaxon Mock as each shot scores of 83 on Tuesday while fellow sophomore Zach Mock led the second group of Koalas as he played well also shooting an 80 in round one and a 79 on day two to finish at 15-over 159 and a tie for 33rd. Ratliff ended up 37th overall at 21-over 165 with rounds of 82 and 83 as he tied with teammate Jackson Arseneau who also shot 84 and 81 to finish at 21 over par. J. Mock then finished in 39th place with consecutive rounds of 83. Sophomore Christian Hadley also placed 45th with rounds of 85 and 83 for a 24-over 168.

Playing as individuals were the trio of Stephen Swenson, Owen Talbot, and Tanner Caldwell with Talbot shooting the best round among individuals on day two with his 80 to finish 45th (88-80, 168). Swenson shot rounds of 87 and 95 to finish 57th.

The golf team is next in action in late October on the 27th and 28th for their AAC Fall Preview Meet from the Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, GA.