By Emily Pritchett
The RSU men’s and women’s golf teams began the 2011-12 school year with an impressive touch. Both teams captured the team trophy at the Mid-America Christian Tournament at Earlywine Golf Club in Oklahoma City.
The Hillcat women claimed their first ever team title blowing past fellow SAC foe Northwestern Oklahoma State by 36 strokes. In second place, Freshman Cecilie Nordahl led the Cats shooting 79-75 and returning sophomore Whitney Hocutt and newcomer Kelsey Waldon tied for third shooting 157. Brittany Fowler finished sixth at the par 70, 6,065 yard course. The Hillcat scoring was rounded out by a seventh place finish by junior Amy Aday.
The Hillcat men beat second place Southwestern Christian by 12 strokes to secure the team title. The Cats were led by junior Preston Bartley who shot a two-day total of 142, with a second round 69 for a second place finish in the individual race. Tanner Owens carded a two-under, 68 on day two at the 6,505 yard, par 70 course to place third. Bo Sarratt tied for fifth place after penciling a 145 total after opening the tournament with a one-under 69 on day one. Finishing in a tie for ninth was Bradley Phelps shooting 70-77 while teammate Josh Bernard carded a 156 for a 22nd place tie.
Rogers’s State women’s golf continued to shine as they finish sixth at the 13th Annual NSU Golf Classic at Cherry Springs Golf Course. The Hillcats opened the two-day event with a ninth place standing after the first round, just eight strokes behind third place. On day two, the Lady Hillcats, as a team, shot 11 strokes better which moved them up three slots to claim the best finish among NAIA schools in attendance at the par 72, 5,806 yard course. The Lady Hillcats were led by sophomore Whitney Hocutt who tied for 14th carding a 78-80 for a tournament score of 158. Teammate Kelsey Waldon improved ten strokes upon her opening round 86, with a tournament total of 162 and a tie at 24th. Cecilie Nordahl bested her opening round 83 by penciling an 81 in round two for a 31st place tied. Junior Amy Aday shot 84-83 for a 167 to tie for 39th. After an opening round 93, Brittany Fowler carded a second round 84 to finish at 62nd.