Lopes Golf takes second in home tournament
The Lamar Community College Golf team fought its way up from fifth place at the end of competition on Thursday to finish in second during its home tournament this past weekend.
The Lopes hosted Eastern Wyoming College, McCook Community College, Otero Junior College, Northeastern Junior College and Central Wyoming College on September 15-16 at the Spreading Antlers Golf Course.
The weather cooperated both days with the first round of play on Thursday afternoon followed by the final round on Friday morning.
At the end of the first round of play, Lamar was in fifth place with a team score of 316.
Eastern Wyoming led the pack with 290, followed by Otero (300), McCook (308), Central Wyoming (316) and Northeastern (359).
Jeremy Minnick posted the low 18-hole round for LCC with 73. Josh Lovett was only six shots behind with 79.
Facundo Boero had a difficult time with his first round shooting 81, but finished very strong with two birdies.
Nick Winn had 83 but was determined to improve on Friday.
The Lopes came storming back on Friday to overtake three teams in front of them by posting a Friday team total of 295. Added to the 316 total from day one, the Lopes finished at 611, which moved them all the way to second place.
Boero recovered nicely with a 71, which was the low round on Friday and ten strokes better than the previous round. Lovett shot six strokes better and carded a 73. Minnick put two solid rounds together with a 74 on day two. Winn also improved by six strokes to post a 77. Austin Matheny improved by five strokes on day two, recording a 91.
Minnick finished in second place individually with a two-day score of 147, while Boero and Lovett finished tied at seventh.
"Our team round on the first day was ok, but not where I think we are capable of playing as a team," said Lopes head coach Roy Dewbre.
"Day two saw more of what I believe these players are able to do as a team. Hopefully, now that we have seen what is possible with our skill level and good course management practices, our team can produce the results we are looking for in tournament play."
The Lopes came in just 23 shots behind first place Eastern Wyoming with 588. McCook finished in third (612) followed by Otero (615), Central Wyoming (621), and Northeastern (703).
The Lopes hit the road this week for a Region IX contest at Eastern Wyoming College on Cottonwood Golf Course. The team will play Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, September 22-23.