SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Southwestern College men's golf team continued its fall season October 12-13 at the Evangel Fall Invite, competing at Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course, a par-70 layout in Springfield, Missouri. The Moundbuilders finished seventh overall in a competitive field, carding rounds of 293, 291 and 285 for a three-round total of 869 (+29).
Southwestern continued to show significant improvement throughout the tournament, lowering its team score in each round. The Moundbuilders' second-round 291 surpassed their previous lowest team round of the season, before the team followed with an even stronger final-round 285 to establish another season-low score.
Junior Cameron Surles led the way for Southwestern, capturing the individual tournament championship after an outstanding three-round performance. Surles opened with a 70 before firing a 67 in the second round and closing with a tournament-low 64. His three-round total of 201 (-9) secured the top spot on the individual leaderboard and marked an impressive milestone for the Moundbuilders.
Senior Jordan Clancy also turned in a strong performance, finishing 13th individually after rounds of 69, 72 and 72 for a tournament total of 213. Clancy continued to provide consistency near the top of the Southwestern lineup throughout the fall season.
Junior Nico Neuteboom and sophomore Sydney Schrant both finished tied for 40th. Neuteboom carded rounds of 76, 77 and 76, while Schrant improved throughout the tournament, finishing with rounds of 79, 77 and 73.
Junior Christian Campbell and sophomore Ian Rue each finished tied for 44th. Campbell posted rounds of 86, 75 and 73, while Rue recorded scores of 80, 78 and 76. Freshman Matthew Jessee finished tied for 49th after shooting rounds of 81, 78 and 79. Junior Mitchell Lehman rounded out the Southwestern lineup in 52nd place with rounds of 78, 87 and 76.
As a team, the Moundbuilders recorded one eagle, 35 birdies and 146 pars throughout the tournament. Surles led the charge in several statistical categories, showcasing his ability to score across the course.
Clancy and Surles led Southwestern in par-3 scoring, finishing at +2 with a 3.11 average. Surles led the Moundbuilders on par-4 holes, finishing at -3 with a 3.90 average. He was particularly dominant on par-5 holes, playing them at an impressive -8 with a 4.11 average, which ranked first in the tournament field.
Surles also accounted for Southwestern's lone eagle and led both the team and the field with 15 birdies. Clancy led the Moundbuilders in pars, recording 33 throughout the tournament.
The Moundbuilders' seventh-place finish, combined with their continued improvement in team scoring and Surles' individual championship, provides positive momentum as Southwestern prepares to close out its fall semester.
Southwestern will conclude its fall schedule October 19-20 at the KCAC Match Play, hosted at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City, Kansas.
