The Cougar men’s golf team placed a respectable sixth overall at the Cropper Golf Classic, a tournament that hosted a total of 19 teams, this past weekend.
Senior Brendan Ryan was the best golfer for Saint Xavier University during the two-day event. He shot a two-over 74 on the first day, followed by a team-best second-day 75.
Senior James Kerr, a native of Donegal, Ireland, led the Cougars on the first day of the event at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion, Iowa. He posted a stellar one-under 71 in his first round.
The team’s first-day team score of 300 would not be duplicated on the second day, however. As a team, the Cougars took a total of 314 strokes on Sunday.
Kerr’s success went the same way as the team score…up. His second round score was an underwhelming nine-over 81, accounting for most of the extra strokes accrued by the Cougars on Sunday.
The rest of the team was consistent, if not outstanding. Junior Kyle Bahnick was good during the weekend, posting a 77 on Saturday and a 79 on Sunday to go 12-over for the tournament.
Senior Kirby Brown was similarly consistent but unspectacular. He shot a seven-over 79 on Sunday to improve on his Saturday score of 82.
Though the team would rather have some early season wins under its belt already this year, a sixth-place finish in a 19-team field is nothing to frown about.
That said, the Cougars hope to be better this Sunday, September 15, when they play in the Benedictine University Fall Invite at St. Andrews Golf Course in West Chicago, Ill.
Tim Carroll
Senior Sports Editor