HOT SPRINGS, ARK. — Led by a 15th-place finish by
Brenden Bassing and all five team members in the top-41, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team moved up three spots to finish fifth at 923 (311-306-306) as the Battle for the Belt on the Arlington Course concluded Tuesday (March 9) at the Hot Springs Country Club.
With a 59-over par 923 (311-306-306), the Cougars, which are ranked eighth in the most recent Golf State Central Region rankings, jumped three spots. After opening with a 311 in the first round of the 54-hole tourney, USF cut five shots off their next round for a 306 and repeated their 306 round on Tuesday.
"The guys continue to trend in the right direction. Despite a few tough rounds, progress continues towards our goal of winning," said USF Assistant Golf Coach
Brennan Thompson. "We have a great roster full of talented players. We are all looking forward to the tournaments ahead until we hit Kansas City for the NSIC Championships," he said. "I was especially impressed with Brenden's (Bassing) final round. He kept battling and was part of the effort for our fifth place finish," he said.
With a six-under par 858 (283-284-291), Arkansas Tech captured the title in the Battle for the Belt. They finished 16 shots ahead of Southern Arkansas at 22-over par 886 (288-294-304) and 18 shots better than host Henderson State at 24-over par 888 (291-288-309). Santiago De La Fuente of Arkansas Tech was the medalist with his six-under par total of 210 (69-66-75) while Francois Jacobs of Arkansas Tech was second at 213 (74-70-69).
USF was led by Bassing, a senior from Sioux Falls, who had a solid performance across three rounds. Today, he moved up from 22
nd to 15
th – a move of seven spots – after closing with an even par 72. He shot a three-round total of 225 (77-76-72) and finished nine-over par. He was 17
th in pars with 30 and also was 14
th in birdies with nine. In par four scoring, Bassing was sixth with a four-over par.
Another USF golfer with a big move in the final round was junior
Jack Evans, who finished tied for 28
th. He moved up eight spots by carding a 75 in his final round. Evans, who was ranked ninth with 31 pars, finished at 16-over par, 232 (79-78-75) as he showed consistency throughout the three-round tournament.
Just behind Evans was senior
JJ Cooney who finished at 17-over par 233 (76-76-81). Cooney recorded nine birdies, which was tied for 17
th overall. On par three scoring, Cooney was seventh overall at one-over par.
Senior
Jacob Zosel was 33
rd as he moved up a spot on the final day with his round of 78 on Tuesday. Zosel carded an 18-over par 234 (80-76-78).
Playing as an individual was senior
Jake Oetzmann, who finished tied for 53
rd with this three round total of 33 over par 249 (85-82-82).
