LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team, led by three-time
All-NSIC senior
JJ Cooney's fifth place individual finish, opened the spring season with a strong effort and took third place at the Warrior Vegas Invite, hosted by Winona State, at Stallion Mountain Golf Club.
Cooney, a senior from
Pickstown, S.D., carded consecutive strong rounds and finished at 144 (73-71) for his second-best two-round total of the 2019-20 season. After opening at 73, he finished with a one-under par round of 71 and finished fifth for his second top-five finish and third top-10 finish. He was among six USF golfers to improve their score from day one to day two.
As a result of Cooney and three USF golfers with top-16 finishes, USF recorded a 596 (305-291) or its third best round of the season. After opening Monday with a 305, USF knocked 14 shots off its score and had a 291, which was the third-best team total of the second round at the tourney. The Cougars finished third behind team champion Winona State at 579 (297-282) and second-place Indianapolis at 581 (297-284).
Among the four golfers in the top-16 was sophomore
Jack Evans, who was 13
th. He was six-over par overall with a total of 150 (76-74). After opening at 76, he had a two-over par round of 74, which allowed him to move up a spot. Senior Brendan Bassing and junior
Jacob Zosel also improved their standing as both shot seven- over par rounds of 151. Bassing moved up from 19
th to 16
th with his 151 (77-74). After opening at 77, he had a two-over par round of 74. Zosel had a major jump as he moved from 27
th to 16
th with his 151 (79-72). He had a jump of seven shots with an even-par 72 today following his 79 on Monday.
With his total of 153 (75-78), Woodall had his second-best round of the season and was 25
th overall. He finished nine over par with his rounds of 75 and 78.
Junior
Bronson Vasa and
Jake Oetzmann finished tied for 57th at 165. Vasa finished at 165 with rounds of 76 and 89. Oetzmann had a seven-shot improvement to finish 21-over par at 165. He finished with a seven-over par round of 79 after opening at 86. Sophomore
Hank Eggebraaten was tied for 65 with his 30-over round of 174 (89-85) while senior
Blake Berry was 69
th at 33-over par 177 (88-89).
Next for USF will be competing at the Washburn Invitational on March 23-24 at the Topeka (Kan.) Country Club.
