From OCU Sports
Rich Tortorelli, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
OKLAHOMA CITY – Blake Murray nailed an 8-foot birdie putt in the playoff to allow top-ranked Oklahoma City University to take home the win in the Southern Plains Intercollegiate on Tuesday at Gaillardia Country Club.
The Stars, ranked No. 1 in NAIA men’s golf, defeated second-ranked Texas Wesleyan on the first playoff hole. OCU finished the fall season with victories in all four tournaments.
Oklahoma City shot 310-312-292–914 on the par-72, 7,037-yard course. The Stars overcame a three-shot deficit entering the final round Tuesday. Texas Wesleyan shot 299-320-295–914.
Murray, a freshman from Mooreland, Okla., hit his birdie after his teammates sank pars. Murray posted a 79-75-78–232 to tie for seventh place for the Stars.
“This team has a chance to do some special things,” OCU head coach Kyle Blaser said. “We are all excited about the break where we can focus on our academics and work on getting better. It’s the halfway point, but I’m proud and excited to coach this group.”
OCU’s Rupert Kaminski and David Myers tied for the individual championship.
Kaminski, a junior from Johannesburg, South Africa, came into the day seven strokes off the lead and turned it on with a tournament low score of 70. In the end, he turned in a scorecard of 80-77-70–227. Meyers, a freshman from Johannesburg, South Africa, was steady the entire tournament and shot a 79-74-74–227.
Blake Berry, a freshman from Tahlequah, Okla., finished in a tie for seventh playing unattached with a 73-81-78–232.
Garrison Mendoza contributed a 75-86-72–233 scorecard to finish tied for ninth, while Matthew Cheung turned in a 77-88-76–241.
Playing as individuals along with Berry were Brett Dixon (77-82-79–238), Tyler Wedding (83-78-77–238), Jake Van Hooser (81-82-75–238), Peri’Don Castille (73-83-83–239), Niccolo Nespoli (76-82-84–242) and Wyatt Robson (92-92-94–278).
On the course, temperatures rose from 63 degrees at tee time to 82 degrees. There was a constant south wind from 16-22 mph.
The Stars will take some time off before they tee off again in the Claud Jacobs Invitational on Feb. 12-13, 2017 at the Club at Colony Creek in Victoria, Texas.
Results