Runner-Up Placing for WPU in Season Opener
Wentzville, Mo.–The Statesmen men’s golf team opened up its fall campaign with a strong outing at the Crossroads of America Invitational Monday and Tuesday.
William Penn placed second out of 10 teams with a two-day score of 586 (294-292) at the par-71 Golf Club of Wentzville. NCAA Division II McKendree’s JV team won the event at 570 (285-285).
Although they did not take the team crown, the top individual award did go home with the navy and gold as Oliver Stanway (Sr., Leicester, England, Sports Management) went into the red twice to pace the 54-person field.
The senior carded a three-under 68 the first day and followed that up with a two-under 69 to finish first at 137, one stroke ahead of McKendree’s Donavan Ray. It is the second title of Stanway’s career and the first time he has broken par in back-to-back rounds.
Spencer Tucker (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) joined his teammate in the top 10, finishing sixth at 146 (74-72).
Oscar Florez Martinez (Jr., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) was next for William Penn, ending up in a tie for 13th at 150 (74-76), while Bruno Nunez (Fr., Spain) managed a top-20 placing as well in his Statesmen debut. Nunez tied for 20th at 153 (78-75).
Brock Hartley (Fr., Wilton, Iowa) improved 10 strokes from his first day to his second, wrapping up the varsity scoring at 176 (93-83) to finish 49th.
The Statesmen also had a second team on the links and that squad finished 10th at 715 (361-354). Tony Rocha (Sr., West Branch, Iowa, Business Management), with scores of 83 and 77, and David Decker (Sr., Peyton, Colo., Physical Education), with scores of 76 and 84, topped the reserve crew by tying for 30th at 160.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Sunrise Beach, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Porto Cima Invitational. Play will be contested at Porto Cima Golf Course.
