Drovers Strike Gold at Top of Texas Invitational
LUBBOCK, Texas – On Monday and Tuesday, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma men's golf team opened the spring season with a historic performance at the Top of Texas Invitational. The Drovers claimed the team championship, and Conner Cryer earned the individual championship as well. Additionally, it is the fifth team championship in program history and Cryer claimed the eighth individual title in program history.
The achievements mark the first time in program history that USAO has defeated multiple teams in the NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Top 25 (No. 6 Wayland Baptist, RV Kansas Welseyan).
The tournament was competed at Lakeridge Country Club in Lubbock, Texas, and the Drovers completed with a three-round score of 881 (294, 297, 290). The course featured a 6641-yard, par 72 layout.
Conner Cryer was spectacular on the way to claiming his first collegiate win, firing a three-round score of 217 (72, 72,73). Cryer tallied a total of 12 birdies and only 13 bogeys in the tournament.
Jax Brewer also delivered a terrific performance, finishing in a tie for second place with a total score of 219 (73, 75, 71).
Caleb Smith and Tate Trotter concluded in a tie for ninth with scores of 226. Smith shot a 78 in each of the first two rounds, but fired a 70 in the third round, while Trotter carded scores of 76, 74, and 76.
Jaeden Ellis closed the tournament in a tie for 12th place with scores of 73, 75, and 78 (227).
PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (5)
Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (8)
Caleb Nichols - Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Gage Gibson – Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Gage Gibson – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Caleb Smith – College of the Ozarks Spring Invitational – March 16, 2021
Caleb Smith – Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Grant Murphey – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 5, 2022
Jax Brewer – Crestview Invitational – Sept. 19, 2023
Conner Cryer – Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will be back in action on March 18-19 as they compete at the CBC Invitational. The tournament will be played at Cypress Creek Golf Club in Cabot, Ark.
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