Men’s golf wrapped up its season with a fifth place finish at the OVC Tournament last week.
The Racers completed a rain-shortened tournament to end with a score of 584 and a few strokes shy of a top-three finish.
Officials canceled the final day of the tournament due to heavy rain, so the Racers couldn’t attempt to improve their score. Austin Peay won the OVC tournament over runner-up Jacksonville State with a score of 568.
“I was disappointed, but I felt like we played okay,” Head Coach Eddie Hunt said. “I wish we could have played the third round. This was the second rainout in three years.”
Hunt said he thought the team could have scored at least a few places higher to get into the top three with a third round.
“We were down 16 strokes, but we couldn’t play in the conditions,” Hunt said. “It was definitely a rainout. It’s unfortunate, but there is nothing we could do about it.”
Senior Patrick Newcomb said he agreed with Hunt regarding the tournament and weather conditions.
“Golf’s just a funny game,” Newcomb said. “Have it one day and the next it’s gone. As a team, we just didn’t have it. Hats off to Austin Peay.”
Seniors Tyler Brown and Hunter York earned 44th and 47th place with scores of 153 and 154. Freshmen Preston French and Jared Gosser finished with a tie in 29th place with a final score of 149.
“Some freshmen made some real progress,” Hunt said. “Preston shot a 68 and Jared shot a 70.”
Coach Hunt said French and Gosser played well in the tournament and show promise for next season. French earned a place on the All-OVC Newcomer team for his performance this year.
“I think, overall, we had a good year,” Hunt said. “Hunter York made All-Conference, which is worth noting, and of course (Newcomb) did as well.”
Newcomb also weighed in on Murray State’s season. He said his teammates worked and played hard.
“We started off well in the fall,” he said. “Going into the spring, we could never play on the same page.”
Newcomb won the medal for best individual play in a bright spot for the Racers. He placed first in a field of 55 opponents with a score of 139. Newcomb also won OVC Golfer of the Year for the second year in a row.
“It means a lot. You want to be the best player in the conference,” Newcomb said. “The hard work has paid off.”
Hunt said Newcomb’s win in the OVC is tremendous and hard to do.
“He won the conference championship,” Hunt said. “Whoever wins gets into the NCAA regional. That’s a great opportunity. I think he can go up against anybody.”
Newcomb addressed his NCAA regional tournament berth with positivity and anticipation.
“I’m excited,” Newcomb said. “It’s just the regionals; if you get through that it’s nationals. I think my game is good enough.”
Hunt also said he thinks Murray State will have the youngest golf team in recent years, but current players like Gosser and French could be leaders next season.
Story by Kelly Farrell, Staff writer.