The men’s golf team placed eighth of eleven teams with a 912 total Monday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the conference preview in Oklahoma City.
“After finishing what I would call a disappointing eighth, we have a lot of work to be done before the end of April on the 16th when our conference tournament is going to be played,” head coach Dustin Howell said.
The Bisons played a five-man team and five individuals at the 54-hole tournament. Sophomore Cameron Murray shot 1-over-par in the first two rounds and even par 72 in the third round and finished with a career best of 218, tying for ninth.
The team came tenth in par three, sixth in par four, and ninth in par five. The team consisted of sophomores Mason Banger, Alan Anderson, Luke Trent and freshmen Logan Handy and Edward Axlund.
According to Howell, the first day of the tournament consisted of two rounds and 30-35 mph winds. He said the team learned from the experience.
“We got a good idea what it means to play in difficult conditions and how that can affect our mental game,” Howell said. “Waking up the next day in the final round, the conditions were lessened but they were still pretty difficult . . . The guys were able to overcome that and finally shoot in under-par numbers.”
Anderson said he had never played in such conditions and was pleased with how he played, ranking second to Murry on Harding’s team. He shot 75-74-71 and placed 13th of the 77 golfers.
“You definitely have to change your strategy and how you play,” Anderson said. “Without the wind you could shoot a normal shot, but with the strong winds you have to aim so far left or so far right for the wind to take it to your designated target.”
Banger ranked third on Harding’s team and 35th overall, shooting 76-79-73. Though his score has not improved, Banger said he is a stronger player than he was a year ago.
“I think definitely mentally I’ve improved since last year because I’ve stayed focused,” Banger said. “I’m much stronger than I was last semester; I worked out in the gym, that’s what helped me win this week. The score wasn’t the best, but that’s definitely going to get better.”
Howell said the players walk an average of 10-12 miles carrying their bags during tournaments, and that the conditions challenged the players physically and mentally.
“Physical fatigue probably played a role, so we will adjust our conditioning routine,” Howell said. “It was difficult, but other teams on the field managed to play it well,so there was something that was what we need to work on”
The tournament was the first of four for the fall season. Howell said the fall season is a “whirlwind” and is an adjusting period for the players.
“We’ve got to find a way to play consistent,” Howell said. “If I can find that middle ground, that consistency would be far better than that roller coaster ride that we had.”
The team’s next tournament is Sept. 21-22 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Howell said he expects to have similar tournaments with highs and lows throughout the season but believes the team will grow with experience.
“If everybody on this roster stays, we could be something very special in the coming years,” Howell said.
