NMJC (M-Golf) Places 6th in Florida

The NMJC men's golf team began the spring season with a sixth-place finish at the Titan Winter Invite in Melbourne, Florida.

The T-Birds finished 27-over par at the Suntree CC behind the winner Mississippi Gulf Coast (-3). Mississippi Gulf Coast's John Mark Mills won the tournament at 6-under par (69-70-71).

The Thunderbirds shot 294-297-300 over two days to finish 30 shots back of Mississippi GC.

Freshman Jake Yrene earned a career-best T-8 finish this week in Florida. The New Mexico native was fantastic in Florida shooting 71-74-72 to finish at 1-over par for the tournament. Yrene made 26 pars, nine birdies, eight bogeys, and just one double over the two days. 

Nick Friedrichsen struggled in the opening round shooting a 6-over 78. Friedrichsen rebounded in Round 2 and Round 3 shooting 74-70 to finish T-17 at 6-over par.  

Oliver Ruutu posted back-to-back 1-over rounds of 73 on Day 1 to sit at 2-over after 36 holes. The final round was tough for the Finn as he shot an 8-over 80, his highest round at NMJC, to finish in a tie for 25th place at 10-over par. 

Sophomore Henry Drake shot an opening-round 72 and followed up with a 4-over 76 to sit at 4-over after 36 holes. Drake's final round was a whirlwind that featured one bogey, one birdie, an eagle, and four doubles as he posted a 78 to finish T-25 at 10-over par.

Elias Pettersson's tournament in Florida did not go as planned. The Swede shot 79-77 in the first two rounds and then shot a final-round 84. The T-55 finish was his worst finish at NMJC and the 84 was his highest round with the Thunderbirds.    

Pettersson and Co. look to bounce back when the No. 7 Thunderbirds compete next at the T-Bird Invite Feb. 24-25 in Hobbs, NM at Rockwind Community Links.