The men’s and women’s golf teams were busy over spring break, each competing in two tournaments. Trinity’s men kicked off the spring season at the Schreiner Spring Shootout March 2-3 in Kerrville, Texas, then played in the University of the Incarnate Word Litz Memorial Tournament March 9-10. The women also played in the Schreiner Spring Shootout and then competed in the George Fox Invitational March 14-15 in Peoria, Arizona.
After the first day of competition in the Schreiner Spring Shootout, Trinity stood in third place with a score of 292, two strokes behind defending national champions Schreiner University. Mary-Hardin Baylor took an early lead with a score of 286. For individuals, Redmond Lyons, sophomore, finished day one in second place with a three under par (69). Senior Kalen Vos was tied for eighth (73), sophomore Diego Trevino tied for 11th (74), sophomore Trevor Warner tied for 21st and junior Alex Hartzelltied for 27th.
Trinity improved in the second and final round, shooting a 291 to finish as runner-up behind Schreiner University by four strokes. Lyons won the second-place individual honors after shooting 1 under par (71) for a total 4 under par (140). Warner tied for sixth (1 over par total) after improving by seven strokes. Trevino tied for 17th and Hartzell and Vos tied for 21st.
Over spring break, the Tiger men competed in the James S. Litz Memorial Tournament. Although pushed back due to unfavorable weather, the Tigers took a two-stroke lead after shooting a 288 (4 over par). Trevino got off to a hot start individually, leading all golfers after shooting a 68. Warner ended day one tied for fifth (72) and Hartzell tied for eighth (73).
Trinity could not maintain the lead on day two, finishing second overall (584). The team’s performance of 296 left them three strokes behind Indian Hills Community College. However, all of Trinity’s golfers finished in the top 15 of individuals. Trevino shot a 6 over on day two, tying for sixth overall (3 over total). Hartzell tied for 10th (74 on day two), Lyons and Warner tied for 12th and Vos tied for 15th.
So far the Tigers are pleased with their season.
“I believe we are doing a great job as a team, our scores are consistent and the team’s vibe is great. After two 2nd place finishes in a row, we feel confident that we will soon get the win. We just gotta keep working and trust our talent,” Trevino.
The Tiger women took center stage from the beginning at Schreiner, shooting a first-round 324 for a 24-stroke lead over second-place Schreiner. For individuals, Shelby Devore, first-year, led (7 over), junior Brigette Lee in second (8 over), junior Madeline Moran tied for sixth, sophomore Hanna Niner tied for ninth and senior Alessa Hutter tied for 12th.
On the second day, Trinity remained dominant, shooting a final-round 334 to beat Schreiner by 40 strokes.
After a slow start Monday, Niner battled back to win the individual honors after shooting a 76 in the final round to finish seven over for the tournament. Devore finished fifth, Lee tied for sixth, Moran in eighth and Hutter tied for 10th.
“I felt like I had to prove something, not just to myself, but to my team, that I could contribute to the overall team score,” Niner said. “I knew we were in the lead, so I just wanted to make sure I didn’t let my team down and could help out more the second day.”
On March 14-15, the women competed in the George Fox Westbrook Invitational. After shooting a combined 302 and 303 on days one and two, the Tigers finished in fifth.
Lee was consistent both days, shooting even-par and finishing fourth overall individually.
Niner tied for 14th (153) and Devore tied for 17th (154). Moran and Taylor Moser also competed in the team event, while Hutter competed individually.
“We will continue to play and practice and work on areas of the swing we feel are the weakest,” said women’s head coach Carla Spenkoch. “We will have plenty of time to prepare for the next tournament. The course we play is tough but the girls are playing well and are very confident. SCAC is only four weeks away so we need to play well at Southwestern and stay healthy.”
The Tiger men will play in the West Cup (California) next on March 23-24. The women will compete in the West Regional Invitational next from April 5-6 in Georgetown, Texas.
Both teams have approximately one month to prepare for the conference championships on April 21-22.
