Steele captures low am, contends in Canada
8/20/2017 9:24:00 PM | Men's Golf
OTTAWA, ON, Canada – Noah Steele's final week of summer was not that of the average Sam Houston State student.
After qualifying for the PGA Tour Canada's National Capital Open to Support Our Troops on Monday, the 19-year-old sophomore did more than make the cut. Steele made a run at winning the whole thing.
The Kingston native was two strokes off the lead through nine holes, ultimately finishing in an 11-way tie for 27th at 9-under, 275. Steele (67-68-69-71) finished as the low amateur and closed out the four-day tournament as the only collegiate to make the final cut.
“I couldn't be more proud of him and the way he represented Bearkat golf,” Sam Houston head coach Brandt Kieschnick said. “I thanked him for how he carried himself and the way he represented our program. I have never had a guy be two shots back at the turn with a chance to win a major professional event. It shows the depth of our program.”
Steele shot a 4-under, 67 to begin the tournament and followed the opening round up with a second-round 68. He added another round in the 60's while continuing to stay within reach of the lead at six back.
"Honestly, I'm more comfortable than I thought I would be," Steele said. "I've kind of surprised myself. On the first tee, it was more of an excitement than nerves. I was confident in my preparation and what I wanted to do this week. I don't think nerves have played a factor. I've gone in with an open mind that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It has been good to me."
The result comes just days after winning the 77th edition of the 36-hole Whig-Standard Championship. In Monday's qualifier, Steele shot a 2-under, 70, before eventually winning a four-person playoff.
“He competed against guys who played on the PGA Tour and will play on the tour,” Kieschnick said. “He's playing against All-Americans and beating them. He just kept his head down and made good shots and good decisions. He looked up and his was near the top of the leaderboard each day. He did that on a very high stage.”
Steele will be a key piece for the Bearkats, who tee off their 2017-18 season in September. As a freshman, the Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School graduate played in eight of 11 tournaments, finishing third on the squad in scoring average (74.76) while taking 11th at the Southland Conference Championship.
“I am excited to get back with the preparation I've done and my team has done over the summer,” Steele said of returning to Huntsville. “This just reassures that any situation I put myself in, I can handle. I think now, with anything that comes my way, I can be calmer.”
