SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The leaderboard at the 2016 Desert Mountain was full of Aggies on Sunday as the Texas A&M men's golf team took home the event's team title and senior Ben Crancer stood out as the individual medalist.
Â
Playing shorthanded following the withdrawal of senior Adria Arnaus, Texas A&M (277-287-283=847, -17) was five-under par during the final round of compition on Scottsdale's Outlaw Course to complete a four-stroke victory over tournament host Michigan.
Â
"I couldn't be happier for these guys," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We had to play four on five because Adria had a little tendinitis in his wrist and forearm. It was bothering him and we didn't feel like risking it, so we didn't play him today and told the guys every shot counts. We came out red hot, carding a bunch of birdies early to take the lead and never looked back."
Â
Senior Ben Crancer (69-67-72=208, -8) entered Sunday's third round in the pole position on the individual leaderboard and held off Purdue's Brian Carlson (-7) to record his second career victory and eighth career top-five showing. The Kirkwood, Mo., native's lone previous collegiate win came at the 2013 Dick's Challenge Cup where he set an A&M men's golf record for 54-hole score vs. par at 16-under.
Â
Freshman Chandler Phillips (71-73-66=210, -6), meanwhile, surged up the leaderboard Sunday with a career-low round of 66 that propelled the Huntsville, Texas, native 16 spots up the leaderboard where he finished in a tie for third place.
Â
"Chandler was amazing today, making nine birdies in 18 holes," Higgins added. "That's just incredible golf out there with the wind blowing. It was a great effort all around by the whole team. I'm really proud of them."
Â
Rounding out the A&M lineup were sophomore Cameron Champ (68-75-72=215, -1) in a tie for 16th and senior Andrew Lister (74-76-73=223, +7) with a share of 39th.
Â
Competing as an individual, sophomore Andrew Paysse (70-75-79=224, +8) earned a tie for 45th.
Â
"I don't think there is any doubt that we learned from last week," Higgins said. "We were coming down the stretch in that same position but we held it together and did a great job of finishing out the tournament."
Â
The next action for the Aggie men's golf team will come at the General Hackler Championship, which will take place March 12-16 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Â
Playing shorthanded following the withdrawal of senior Adria Arnaus, Texas A&M (277-287-283=847, -17) was five-under par during the final round of compition on Scottsdale's Outlaw Course to complete a four-stroke victory over tournament host Michigan.
Â
"I couldn't be happier for these guys," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We had to play four on five because Adria had a little tendinitis in his wrist and forearm. It was bothering him and we didn't feel like risking it, so we didn't play him today and told the guys every shot counts. We came out red hot, carding a bunch of birdies early to take the lead and never looked back."
Â
Senior Ben Crancer (69-67-72=208, -8) entered Sunday's third round in the pole position on the individual leaderboard and held off Purdue's Brian Carlson (-7) to record his second career victory and eighth career top-five showing. The Kirkwood, Mo., native's lone previous collegiate win came at the 2013 Dick's Challenge Cup where he set an A&M men's golf record for 54-hole score vs. par at 16-under.
Â
Freshman Chandler Phillips (71-73-66=210, -6), meanwhile, surged up the leaderboard Sunday with a career-low round of 66 that propelled the Huntsville, Texas, native 16 spots up the leaderboard where he finished in a tie for third place.
Â
"Chandler was amazing today, making nine birdies in 18 holes," Higgins added. "That's just incredible golf out there with the wind blowing. It was a great effort all around by the whole team. I'm really proud of them."
Â
Rounding out the A&M lineup were sophomore Cameron Champ (68-75-72=215, -1) in a tie for 16th and senior Andrew Lister (74-76-73=223, +7) with a share of 39th.
Â
Competing as an individual, sophomore Andrew Paysse (70-75-79=224, +8) earned a tie for 45th.
Â
"I don't think there is any doubt that we learned from last week," Higgins said. "We were coming down the stretch in that same position but we held it together and did a great job of finishing out the tournament."
Â
The next action for the Aggie men's golf team will come at the General Hackler Championship, which will take place March 12-16 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.