Texas A&M
Wyoming Desert Classic
No. 8 Aggies Claim Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate Title
Feb 27, 2011 | Men's Golf
Feb. 27, 2011
PALM DESERT, Calif. - The eighth-ranked Texas A&M men's golf team brought home the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate title on Sunday with a 5-shot victory at The Classic Club.
The Aggies (294-293-292) knocked a stroke off their score each round en route to a 15-over-par total of 879 and their first team win of the year. A&M has finished fourth or better in every event this season.
"It feels really good to finally bring home a win," head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We have been in contention in every event this season and have come up just a little short. While top-fives are good, especially with our schedule, its important to win some along the way so you know what it takes coming down the stretch in the post season."
A&M placed all five individuals inside the top 21 spots, led by Conrad Shindler. The senior carded a 1-over 217 (73-73-71) to finish third, four shots back of the winner, Santa Clara's Scott Travers. Shindler has posted a top-four finish in each of his last three tournaments.
Senior Nacho Elvira (73-74-72=219) finished 3-over, two shots back in fifth place. Junior Jordan Russell (75-74-75) and senior John Hurley (76-72-76) finished in a tie for 16th at 8-over 224, while sophomore Cameron Peck placed 21st with a 9-over 225 (73-78-74).
"I'm very proud of all the guys as they all made big contributions this week," Higgins said. "All five players finished in the Top 21 individually and I think that speaks volumes about our depth. Conrad is playing exceptional and I can't say enough about Nacho and his performance. Our seniors are really stepping up."
UNLV (884, +20) was second, followed by SMU (+26), UC Santa Barbara (+28) and Denver (+31). Colorado State and Santa Clara tied for sixth at +35, followed by Cal Poly (+37), New Mexico (+45), Nebraska (+47), Long Beach State (+50), Kansas (+52), Weber State (+63), UTEP (+66), Wyoming (+67), Drake (+69), Hawai'i (+74), Boise State (+75), Southern Utah (+82) and Air Force (+87).
The Aggies return to action in two weeks at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters in Las Vegas. The tournament is scheduled for March 11-13 at Southern Highlands Golf Club.
"This is a great way to enter into the heart of our schedule with a win on a hard course, because it only gets tougher from here," Higgins said. "We will enjoy this one today, come home and get ready for Vegas in two weeks."
