The UTEP men’s golf team fell short of reclaiming the title at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate in Las Cruces, N.M. on Tuesday. The team posted a score of one-under-par 851 (286-286-279) to place second behind a dominant Grand Canyon team, which won the title after firing a 15-under-par 837 (277-280-280).
Grand Canyon was the runner-up at last season’s Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate. Wichita State finished third, shooting four-over-par 856 (282-293-281) and host New Mexico State came in fourth after shooting eight-over-par 860 (290-284-286). Rounding out the top five teams was Odessa College, which shot nine-over-par 861 (284-295-282).
“We had our eyes set on defending last year’s championship,” head coach Scott Lieberwirth said. “Yesterday was a little disappointing for us, I thought we could have played a little bit better deeper into our line up. Even though we weren’t quite as under par, we were a much more balanced team score today. If we would have had that same type of performance yesterday as we did today then we would have been better off. Grand Canyon did a fantastic job, they played great from start to finish and my hats off to them. They definitely deserved this one.”
In four tournaments during their 2016 fall campaign, the Miners have never finished lower than eighth. The team has claimed two tournament titles and a runner-up showing.
The team was led by Frederik Dreier, who placed second after firing a 10-under-par 203 (68-69-66) and finished one stroke behind champion Matt McClung of Grand Canyon. Charles Corner tied for seventh, shooting an even-par 213 (72-68-73). Ben Getman, playing as an individual, tied for 15th with a two-over-par 215 (71-74-70). Andreas Sorenson was the last Miner finishing in the top 20, tying for 18th with a three-over-par 216 (75-73-68). Coming in tied for 37th was Nicklas Pihl, who shot an eight-over-par 221 (73-76-72). Prescott Mann shot an 11-over-par 224 (73-77-74) to tie for 45th and Evan Macias, another Miner playing as an individual, shot a 14-over-par 227 (71-78-78) to tie for 58th place. Finishing out the team was individual Cole Donielson, who placed 73rd with a 17-over-par 230 (79-75-76).
“Freddie had a great day, a great tournament in general, and Charlie really had a great finish to his afternoon yesterday,” Lieberwirth said.
The Miners will host their annual home tournament and their final tournament of the fall season Oct. 28-30.
“It’s the only tournament in the year where we play at home, so our guys are always excited,” Lieberwirth said. “They’re ready for this. Our guys also know that we haven’t fared as well in our home tournament in the past as we would have liked, meaning we have yet to win at home and this will be the fifth year of having the Price’s “Give ‘Em Five” in existence. There’s no question our guys are going to be motivated and they want to be the first team to win our home tournament.
“It’s nice this year, we do get a little bit of a break to rest and prepare, but I’m positive we’re going to come ready to play next week.”
The Price’s “Give ‘Em Five” Invitational will be played at the Butterfield Trail Golf Club. Live scoring will be available via golfstat.com
