(Prescott, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s golf team won its first ever golf tournament today at the Embry Riddle Fall Invitational at Antelope Hills North Golf Course in Prescott Valley, Ariz., today. Individually, Eli Cruzan won medalist honors as well as he crushed the field winning by an impressive seven strokes.
As a team the Bucs set a school record low with their 284 score on day one. They were five strokes higher today, but today’s score would have also been a record low score prior to yesterday. The Buccaneers shot a 573 total (-3) for the two round tournament five shots ahead of Arizona Christian and Benedictine Mesa who both shot 578 (+2). The Bucs also had all five players finish in the top-14 of a tournament for the first time in history. This was also the first time all-five Buc players shot in the 70’s for every round of a tournament and did not post a score lower than 76.
Individually, junior transfer Cruzan was on fire shooting a 10-under 134 for the tournament after back-to-back five-under 67’s on the par-72 6867 yard course which was the host for the 2021 Cal Pac Conference Championships. Cruzan becomes the first Buccaneer player to win medalist honors and also sets the school record for lowest score in a tournament with his performance.
Canadian freshman Jax Sisson continues to play better every tournament as he finished in a tie for eighth after shooting a three-over 75 after starting yesterday with a one-under 71. He finished with a total score of 146 (+2).
Sophomore Noah Blaickner finished in 11th after shooting a three-over 75 today after a first round even-par 72. He finished the tournament with a three-over 147.
Sophomore Josh Smith rebounded from his first round 76 to shoot an even-par 72 for the second best round of the day. Smith finished at 148 (+4) for the tournament good for 13th place.
Freshman Riley Wortman also shot a three-over 75 today to finish at 149 (+5) for the tournament in 14th-place.
On the ladies side, Felicia Ramsey shot 102 to stay in eighth place in the truncated women’s tournament.
This is the last tournament of the fall for Park Gilbert. The Buccaneers will now start to gear up for the spring season as they hope to make a run at the conference tournament and qualify for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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