Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational
Kats best two top-25 teams, take runner-up
11/1/2016 11:32:00 PM | Men's Golf
Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational • Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Princeville, Hawaii • Princeville Makai Golf Course • par-72, 7,223 yards
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PRINCEVILLE, HI – Sam Houston State men's golf shined in its final fall tournament, capturing runner-up at the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational on Tuesday, besting three top-50 teams while firing the eighth-lowest score in team history from the par-72, 7,223-yard Princeville Makai Golf Course.
The Bearkats fired an 11-under, 853, led by senior Andrew Ertel (73-64-69 – 206) who finished in a tie for second at 10-under, 206 while matching the seventh-lowest 56-hole round in team history – uniquely, held by current Sam Houston head coach Brandt Kieschnick, who accomplished the feat in 1998.
The second-place team finish was the first for Sam Houston since the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in April. Teammate Dominick Gennuso (68-69-79 – 216), who entered the final round tied for fourth with Ertel, shot seven-over on Tuesday, finishing tied for 22nd at even-par.
Twenty-first ranked Mississippi won the team title, firing a 33-under, 831. The Bearkats secured second by seven strokes as No. 24 Missouri took third at 4-under, 860. No. 22 Arizona State (2-under, 862) and Louisville (1-under, 863) rounded out the top five. The Rebels' Braden Thornberry, the nation's No. 21 ranked golfer, bested Ertel by three strokes to claim the individual title at 13-under, 203.
Elsewhere, William Holcomb (73-72-74 – 219) finished tied for 33rd at 3-over while teammate Jesse Massengale (73-74-73 – 220) moved six spots up the leaderboard to take a tie for 40th at 4-over. Holcomb matched his career-best round on Sunday, before besting it Monday in route to his best collegiate result.
Jake McCory (80-82-71 – 233), who struggled during his first two rounds, rebounded in a strong way in the final round, shooting 1-under to leap 19 spots up the leaderboard and finish tied for 87th at 17-over.
Sam Houston recorded two top-five finishers during its five-tournament fall campaign, saving the best for last. The Bearkats will return to action Feb. 19-21 in Humble at the All-American Intercollegiate. The event kicks off five regular-season events leading up to the Southland Conference Championships, April 24-26 at Stonebridge Country Club in McKinney.
QUOTEABLES
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on the three-day success …
“We shot three rounds under par. All the hard work came together. We played with some of the best programs in the country. We're proud to take second. This tournament represents national college teams. You had ACC, SEC and east coast and west coast. For us to come out to Hawaii where they put their best foot forward and almost win the tournament, this is an experience I will never forget and these guys will never forget."
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on Ertel's 54-hole performance …
“I am very proud of how he backed up one of the best rounds ever with another solid round. I always knew he could be one of the best in the country. He took a big step forward. This was a top-tier event and he played toe-to-toe with some of the best in the country."
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on the momentum entering the spring…
“It is definitely momentum. We really prepared well this week. We know if we have that same preparation we can beat top teams. Things came together for us."
