T-Bird (M-Golf) Finishes Runner-up in San Angelo, Herron Earns 1st Victory
The NMJC men's golf team (+14) finished runner-up at the Southwest Region V Championship on Tuesday, April 15.
Freshman PJ Herron won individually at Quicksand GC in San Angelo, Texas to earn his first victory of his collegiate career. Herron shot back-to-back 69s on Monday and then shot a final round 77 to earn a one-stroke win over Scott Spark of Midland, Harrison Sewell of Midland, and Adam Bresnu of Odessa.
The Victoria, Minnesota native recorded four birdies in Round 1, five birdies and an eagle in Round 2, and in the final round he finished with a double, three bogeys, and 14 pars.
The T-Birds now have three individual winners on the season in PJ Herron, Elias Pettersson, and Oliver Ruutu.
The Thunderbirds ended Day 1 in second place at 2-under par, six strokes behind Midland College. The Chaps shot a final-round 298 (+10) while NMJC finished with a 304 (+16). Midland picked up tournament champion honors after finishing at 2-over for the week.
Sophomore Elias Pettersson shot 73-73 in the first 36 holes. Pettersson's final round was a familiar rollercoaster. The Swede made six birdies including four in a row from holes 10-13. Unfortunately, he recorded three bogeys and two doubles to finish with his third consecutive 73. Pettersson placed T-6 at 3-over par for the tournament.
Nick Friedrichsen had a strong first 36 holes similar to Pettersson. He began Day 1 shooting 72-73 and finished Day 2 with a final-round 76. Friedrichsen finished in 14th place at 5-over.
Sophomore Henry Drake opened with a 2-over 74. Drake's second-round 71 featured eight birdies, three doubles, and one bogey. The Englishman shot 78 in the final round to finish T-20 at 7-over.
Jake Yrene finished T-41 on Tuesday after shooting 75-77-81 to post 17-over. The T-Birds traveled one individual in Jan Porchet. The freshman faltered in his first 36 holes shooting 81-80 but made his final round count with a 1-under 71 to place T-39 at 16-over in San Angelo.
Oliver Ruutu, a staple in the T-Bird lineup, missed this week due to injury but is hopeful to return by the next match.
The Thunderbirds next tournament is April 28-29 at the South Central District Qualifier in Brownwood, Texas at The Hideout.