(Queen Creek, AZ) The Park University Gilbert golf team open play in the 2024-25 season by hosting the 2024 Park University Gilbert Invitational at Las Colinas Golf Course in Queen Creek, Ariz. After two rounds of play the Buccaneers sit in fifth place out of seven teams but have two golfers in the running for medalist honors.
This is the first time the Bucs have hosted a fall tournament since 2021 when they held a tournament at Superstition Springs Golf Course in Mesa.
Play started with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. in the morning and every team including the Bucs shot well in the cooler morning air. As a team Park Gilbert shot a 3-under 281 on the par 71 course and were one of five teams within two shots of the lead as all teams took advantage of soft morning conditions. Arizona Christian’s “B” team led the way with a 5-under 279, followed by ACU “A” and OUAZ who shot 280; Benedictine Mesa’s “A” team also shot the same 281 score as Park Gilbert.
Senior Eli Cruzan (4th) and Sophomore Riley Wortman (T7th) were both in the top-10 after round one. Cruzan shot a 3-under 68 and Wortman a 1-under 70.
Play did not stop and second round action continued at the conclusion of round one in the late morning into the afternoon. The Bucs struggled a little on their home course in the second session, shooting a 2-over 286, this caused them to lose ground to overall leader OUAZ who followed up with first round 280 with a second round 8-under 276 to take a two-shot lead on ACU “A” who also improved on its first round with a 6-under 278. The Bucs are now 11 shots off the lead.
Despite the team losing ground, Cruzan moved up the individual leaderboard to a tie for third place after posting a second round 2-under 69 and sits at -5 (137). Wortman stayed in a tie for seventh after also shooting a two-under 69. He is at -3 (139) overall after two rounds.
Park Gilbert No. 3 flight player Sophomore Cole Taylor shot 73-71 for a two-over 144 and sits in a tie for 24th. Sophomore Jax Sisson got off to a great start with a 1-under 70, but his second round saw a few more difficulties as he ballooned to a 6-over 77. Freshman Isaiah Halcomb, making his collegiate debut shot 73-77 for an 8-over score.
The Buccaneers also had three individual players compete as grad student Josh Jack shot 74-75 (149), freshman Landon Berry (73-78) and Peyton Shields (78-73) both shot 151.
The final round of the tournament starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning Sept. 24.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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