Trojans Collect Come-From-Behind Victory at Huntington Invitational
LEBANON, Ind. – Sophomore Trey Turner led the charge for the 21st-ranked Taylor men's golf team as the Trojans notched a comeback victory in the final round of the Huntington Invitational on Saturday.
Turner carded seven birdies during his final trip around Trophy Club Golf Course en route to a final round two-under par score of 70 to lead the Trojans. Turner's two-round total of one-under par 143 (73-70) earned the Bedford, Indiana native his second career tournament title.
Turner was the catalyst for a big TU comeback during Saturday's final round. The Trojans entered the round trailing Mount Vernon Nazarene by nine shots but the Trojans blitzed the field during the final round, carding a sizzling team score of 295 on the challenging layout.
Sophomore Mitch Lamping buried a long birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole to card a round of even par 72 while freshman Jeremy Ray added a 75 and freshman Alec Dutkowski along with junior Ian Rinken finished with 78's.
Taylor's two-round total of 597 (302-295) was eight shots better than Mount Vernon and 11 shots clear of Parkland College. The victory marked the second consecutive win and the fifth of the season for the Trojans.
Lamping's solid final round vaulted him into a tie for third with a two-round total of 148 (76-72) while teammate and fellow sophomore Nick Waskom also finished tied four third at 148 (75-73).
Ray collected his fourth top ten finish of the season with a two-round total of 152 (77-75) to finish tied for ninth. Dutkowski finished tied for 14th at 154 (76-78), his 11th top-20 finish in 11 career starts.
The Taylor B team managed a fourth place finish in the event with a two-round total of 624 (312-312). The TU B team defeated Crossroads League teams Huntington and Spring Arbor as a well as Missouri Baptist.
Waskom led the TU B team while junior Nathan Edwards turned in a solid performance with rounds of 75 and 78 to tied for 12th. Junior Jordan Hall carded a two-round total of 162 (80-82) to claim a tie for 29th along with sophomore Josh Stimmel (82-8). Junior Seth Neal finished in a tie for 34th at 163 (82-81).
Sophomore Trey Turner posted a 73 (+1) to lead the Trojans in round one. Taylor also counted a pair of 76's from sophomore Mitch Lamping and freshman Alec Dutkowski while freshman Jeremy Ray added a 77. Junior Ian Rinken was the TU drop score with an 82.
The Taylor B team also posted a solid score of 312. Junior Nathan Edwards and sophomore Nick Waskom each shot 75 while the Trojans also counted an 80 from Jordan Hall and an 82 from Seth Neal while sophomore Josh Stimmel also shot 82.
The event marked the final regular season tournament for the Trojans who will now turn their attention to the Crossroads League Championship scheduled for May 2-3 at Glendarin Hills Golf Club in Angola, Indiana. The winner of the Crossroads League Championship receives an automatic birth in the NAIA National Championship later in May.