Texas A&M
Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters
Russell, Aggies Place Second at Southern Highlands
Mar 13, 2011 | Men's Golf
March 13, 2011
LAS VEGAS - The eighth-ranked Texas A&M men's golf team shot a final-round 294 on Sunday and finished second at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters at Southern Highlands Golf Club.
The Aggies (280-296-294=870, +6) were overtaken by No. 1-ranked Oklahoma State, who carded a 283 on Sunday to finish at 1-under 863, seven shots in front of A&M. The Aggies, however, did beat three top-10 teams and eight top-25 squads in one of the country's strongest fields this spring.
"The boys really gave us a good effort today," head coach J.T. Higgins said. "The course played tough and, like always, we battled hard. In the end we just made too many big numbers early and did not convert our scoring opportunities into birdies to bring home the victory."
No. 21 California (873, +9) was third, followed by No. 2 UCLA (+12), Arizona State (+25), No. 14 Georgia (+26), UNLV (+27), No. 22 Duke (+29), No. 4 Georgia Tech (+30), No. 6 Texas (+35), TCU (+35), No. 24 USC (+42), No. 19 Texas Tech (+42), Baylor (+48) and Arizona (+55).
Junior Jordan Russell, one of only four players to break par on the weekend, placed second after totaling an 8-under 208 (64-71-73). OSU's Morgan Hoffman's final-round 69 gave him a 10-under 206 for the weekend and a 2-shot victory.
Senior Conrad Shindler (69-77-75=221, +5) placed 15th, senior Nacho Elvira (74-78-71=223, +7) finished 21st, sophomore Cameron Peck (73-76-75=224, +8) was 25th and senior John Hurley (79-72-78=229, +13) 50th. Sophomore Case Cochran, playing as an individual, had a strong final round and finished 60th with a 16-over 232 (80-81-71).
"While we really wanted to win, it's still a terrific showing against an elite field," Higgins said. "I think this should give us confidence going forward."
A&M returns to action next weekend when the Aggies take part in the Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship. Competition will take place at Hawk's Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga.
