By: Clint Neumann
OWASSO, Okla. - The University of Sioux Falls men's golf team opened its spring season with a sixth-place finish at the Hillcat Classic, held March 9-10 at Bailey Ranch Golf Course. The Cougars finished sixth in the eight-team field with a three-round score of +30 on the par-72, 6,753-yard course.
Sioux Falls was paced by Charlie Hanson and Ty Lenards, who both delivered consistent performances across the three rounds to lead the Cougar lineup. Hanson posted the team's top finish while Lenards remained near the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament as USF battled through a competitive field in Oklahoma.
Tournament Snapshot
- Top Cougar Finish: Charlie Hanson – 4th (70-74-72 | 216)
- Lowest Round: Charlie Hanson – 70 (-2)
- Team Best Round: 294 (+6) – Round 1
- Tournament Champion: Southwestern Oklahoma State (-3)
- Number of Teams: 8
How It Happened
The Cougars opened the tournament with their best team performance of the week, carding a six-over 294 during Monday's opening round. That early effort kept Sioux Falls in the middle of the leaderboard heading into the second round of the 36-hole opening day.
USF continued to grind through the final two rounds while navigating a course that produced steady scoring across the field. The Cougars closed the tournament with a +13 final round, ultimately finishing sixth overall while gaining valuable early spring experience against a strong regional field.
Top Cougar Performers
Hanson delivered Sioux Falls' top performance of the tournament, finishing fourth overall with rounds of 70, 74 and 72 for an even-par total of 216. His opening round of two-under 70 was the lowest score recorded by a Cougar during the event and helped establish him near the top of the leaderboard from the start.
Lenards also turned in a strong showing, finishing tied for sixth with rounds of 72, 73 and 73 for a three-round total of 218. His consistent play throughout the tournament kept him within striking distance of the leaders across all three rounds.
Ryan Nutter added another solid performance for Sioux Falls, finishing tied for 26th with rounds of 74, 75 and 78. Jadan Ford and Jaden Solheim rounded out the Cougar scoring lineup, while Gabe Norberg also competed for Sioux Falls in the event.
Cougar Scorecard
Coach's Corner
"We got really good play from Charlie and Ty this week, which is what we expect and, frankly, will need if we are going to be competitive this spring. A couple bad holes out of 54 kept both from posting some scary-good scores. And, I was really pleased with Ryan Nutter's play this week - especially on Monday's 36-hole day. He showed us what he's capable of doing."
- Head Coach Wade Merry
Up Next
The Cougars will return to action March 23-24 at the NSIC Preview, held at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Missouri.
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