Texas A&M
Lone Star Invitational
Hurley, Aggies Cruise to Victory at Lone Star Championship
Oct 19, 2009 | Men's Golf
Oct. 19, 2009
SAN ANTONIO - After winning the national championship last spring, the Texas A&M men's golf team can now claim a state championship after cruising to a 10-stroke victory at the inaugural Lone Star Invitational Monday at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.
The No. 18-ranked Aggies entered the final round leading No. 4 Texas by 10 strokes and matched the Longhorns' closing round of six-under (282). A&M finished at 16-under (286-280-282=848) for the tournament while Texas was six-under (858).
A&M junior John Hurley captured his first individual victory with a 10-under total of 71-64-71=206, edging Texas' Dylan Frittelli (69-69-69=207) by a single stroke.
TCU and Texas Tech were the only NCAA Division I teams in Texas absent from the 12-team field.
"It's always a neat thing to win an inaugural event because your name will always be at the top of the list," A&M Coach J.T. Higgins. "That fact that it was for the state championship of Texas makes it extra special. To hold a national championship and a state championship at the same time is a great accomplishment for our program."
Four of A&M's five starters finished in the top 10 in the individual standings. Senior Andrea Pavan (73-68-69=210) tied for fourth, junior Nacho Elvira (70-74-73=217) and sophomore Geoff Shaw (73-74-70=217) tied for ninth, and freshman Cameron Peck (72-79-72=223) tied for 21st.
"I'm really pleased with how we played," Higgins said. "We were very businesslike today and did what we were supposed to do. We never got uptight or worried about the scoreboard, we just let the results take care of themselves. Hurley played great golf this week and was very solid today. He never got caught up in how big his lead was and made some key birdies coming in."
SMU placed third at 868, followed by Baylor (873), Texas-Arlington (874), Sam Houston State (878), Lamar (895), Texas-San Antonio (896), Rice (897), Texas State (901), Texas-El Paso (915) and Houston (923).
The Aggies close their fall schedule at the Baylor Invitational next week in Dallas.
