LAKEWOOD, Colo. –
Riley Kaercher led the Montana State University Billings men's golf team in the opening round of the Colorado School of Mines Bob Writz Invitational on Saturday afternoon at Bear Creek Golf Club.
Kaercher shot a 76 on the par-72, 7,276-yard course, and is in a tie for 16th place with one round left to play.
Overall the Yellowjacket men shot a team score of 321, and are in eighth place among the field of 10 teams. "The guys struggled today," said MSUB head coach
Jeff Allen. "This golf course is challenging, and it puts a lot of demand on your short game to save par. We need to sharpen all areas of our game tomorrow, and try to make an improvement."
Payton Stott was the other Yellowjacket to break the mark of 80 on Saturday, as he finished his first round at the event with a 79.
Garrett Woodin is in a tie for 45th place, after notching a round of 81 on Saturday.
Caleb Trost shot an 85 and is in a tie for 56th, and
Logan Martin is in a tie for 61st after a mark of 87.
Colorado State University-Pueblo leads the team race after the opening round, with a 10-over-par score of 298 on Saturday. The Thunderwolves carry a two-stroke advantage over second-place Colorado School of Mines. John Paterson of the University of Colorado, who is competing as an individual, leads the field after notching a 2-under-par 70 on Saturday. He holds a one-stroke edge over Tim Amundson of Colorado Mines, who was the other player to break par with a 71.
THE BUZZ: Kaercher was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
AHEAD: The quick two-round tournament concludes on Sunday, with the final round scheduled to tee off at 11 a.m. Mountain time.
Colorado Mines Bob Writz Invitational
Round 1 Results | March 23, 2019
Bear Creek Golf Club | Lakewood, Colorado
Team – 1. Colorado State University-Pueblo, 298; 8. MSU Billings, 321.
Individuals – 1. John Paterson, Colorado (IND), 70; T16.
Riley Kaercher, MSUB, 76; T35.
Payton Stott, MSUB, 79; T45.
Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 81; T56.
Caleb Trost, MSUB, 86; T61.
Logan Martin, MSUB, 87.
