Texas A&M
AGGIE INVITATIONAL
Texas A&M Cruises to 18-Shot Victory at Aggie Invitational
Apr 17, 2011 | Men's Golf
April 17, 2011
Aggie Invitational Final Results (PDF)
BRYAN, Texas - The sixth-ranked Texas A&M men's golf team recorded a 4-under 356 on Sunday, the tournament's best round, en route to an 18-shot victory over a strong Aggie Invitational field at Traditions Club.
The Aggies (370-359-356=1085) finished at 5-over par and were the only team to break par in a round all weekend, doing so in their final two to successfully defend their title. A&M's 18-shot victory was the second-largest margin in the event's history.
"Today we were just really solid the whole way around," head coach J.T. Higgins said. I don't think we were never really far under par, but we were never over either. We just made a lot of pars, took advantage of opportunities when we had chances to make birdies, and no one ever blew up so we had a chance to put a good score up on the board. Beating Oklahoma State does not happen very often. That was nice, and hopefully it will give us some confidence going in to Big 12s."
Despite having three of the top four individual finishers, top-ranked Oklahoma State (371-366-366=1103) came in second at 23-over. No. 18 Texas Tech (+34) finished third, Baylor took fourth (+41) and No. 8 Texas (+42) was fifth. Kent State (+54), SMU (+56), Tulsa (+58), No. 24 Oklahoma (+58), New Mexico (+73) and UTSA (+112) rounded out the field.
Oklahoma State junior and U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein claimed medalist honors, finishing the weekend with a 6-under 210 (72-67-71).
The Aggies placed five individuals in the top 12, led by junior Jordan Russell (75-71-69=215, -1). The College Station native and defending champion finished in a tie for second, five shots back. Senior John Hurley (73-73-70=216) wrapped play at even par and in a tie for fourth place, while senior Nacho Elvira (73-74-70=217) ended in a tie for seventh at 1-over par.
Senior Conrad Shindler (78-67-75=220, +4) placed 11th, sophomore Cameron Peck (71-74-76=221, +5) 12th and sophomore Case Cochran (82-85-72=239, +23) 61st. Playing as individuals, sophomore Drew Evans (80-77-75=232, +16) tied for 44th, senior Bryant Lach (82-80-78=240, +24) tied for 64th and redshirt freshman Ryan Kelley (80-82-80=242, +26) tied for 66th.
"I was really excited about the team effort," Higgins said. "You look at Oklahoma State, they had three guys finish in the top four. To beat that you need a full team effort. Top to bottom, we got the better of them this weekend and I think that's a credit to our four, five and six guys. I think that we're as strong as anybody in the bottom of the lineup."
Texas A&M now turns its attention to the postseason, beginning with the Big 12 Championship. The tournament is scheduled for April 25-27 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan.
Players Mentioned
