University Star

Although the Bobcats struggled, there were moments they shined, highlighted by senior Luis Thiele’s consistent improvement throughout three rounds of play and a strong opening freshman campaign for Torbjorn Johansen. This built some confidence going into Ruston, Louisiana.

“We fought hard, but it was not a good week for us,” said Coach Shane Howell, reflecting after the tournament. “The effort was there. We just need to clean up our play for next week.”

The Bobcats played 36 holes on Monday and finished 11th after the first day of the Colorado Invitational. The field consisted of Air Force Academy, Gonzaga, Northern Colorado, Colorado, Houston Baptist University, Oregon State, Wyoming, Colorado State, Kansas, Denver, Missouri-Kansas City and Texas-Arlington.

Junior Juan Diego Plasencia shot the low score for the Bobcats for a combined one over par after the first two rounds of play.

Tuesday afternoon in the final round of the Mark Simpson invitational, Thiele shot three under par. Last season, Thiele marked a personal best of 68 at the Invitational. The round-three score of 69 was just one shot short of tying it.

The Bobcats finished the tournament with a 295 first round, 288 second round and 290 third round for a total score of 873, which placed them 12th in team competition.

Oregon State overcame Colorado and Colorado State’s home course advantage by placing first in team competition with an 843 final score. Colorado, host of the Mark Simpson invitational, finished second at 19 under par and a total score of 845. Colorado State finished 17 under par with an 847 total.

Kirby Pettitt of Colorado State was the individual leader for the Mark Simpson Invitational. Pettitt improved each round and finished 14 under par with a 202 total score.

“Wedging, chipping and putting will be the point of emphasis in practice for the next three days,” Howell said. “We have a quick turnaround and have to get some confidence going into the Squire Creek Invitational.”

The Bobcats had a 50-stroke improvement from their opening event at Ocean Course. Strong improvement will create confidence for the rest of the season as it unfolds.

Texas State’s men’s golf team will head down to Louisiana on Monday, Oct. 1, to compete in the Squire Creek Invitational hosted by Louisiana Tech.