EL PASO, Texas – It was much of the same for the Western New Mexico University men’s golf team as they continued to lead the field and claim the Edward Jones’ Cactus Thaw title by nine-strokes Monday.
“This is the start to the semester we wanted. We have worked hard over the break and knew we were playing some good golf coming into the Thaw,” Head Coach Kent Beatty said. “I am very proud of the boys and the finishes by our individuals shows the depth we have moving forward through the season.”
The Mustangs were even Monday with a 284, the second best round of the day to post a 561 after a seven-under 277 Sunday for a 561. New Mexico State’s B Team landed in second with a 570. Midland CC (574), UTEP B Team (589), NMMI (604) and Fort Lewis (614) rounded out the six-team field.
NMSU’s Luis Medina claimed the individual title with a 136, just two shots ahead of WNMU’s Harry Wetton (Bedford, England/The Bedford School).
Wetton finished in second to lead the way for the Mustangs. He shot an even round 71, coupled with an opening round 67 to post a 138. Wetton posted three birdies, two on the back-nine.
Calum Hill (Kinross, Scotland/Kinross HS) was right behind with a 139 to tie for third. Hill was even after the first day with a 71 and then fired three-under 68 Monday to move up the leader board. Hill ripped off five birdies, with three on the back-nine.
Playing as an individual, Ross White (Dollar, Scotland/Kinross HS) soared on the second day, as he opened with a two-over 73, just to watch the red numbers fly on day two with a five-under 66 to end with a 139 and to tie Hill for third. White, who recorded the only birdie on the team Sunday, followed that up by birding the par-five ninth hole today. He then accelerated on the back-nine with five birdies to reach the clubhouse with a four-under on the back-nine.
Ben Skinner (Hertfordshire, England/Lorretto Academy) and Deryk “Buzz” Perales tied for seventh with 142’s. Skinner was three-under entering the day then fired a three-over 74 to end with a 142. He had three birdies, all on the back-nine. Perales wasn’t going to let White be the only one to be eagle watching as he added his own two-under on the same ninth hole. He finished even on Monday, after going even on Sunday to end with his 142.
Daniel Young (Cheshire, England/Eaton Bank HS), playing as an individual, tied for 15th with a 148. Young was three-over each day to tally his 148. He had three birdies, two coming on the front-nine. Rounding out the golfers for WNMU, Thomas Neve (Epsom, England/Cams Hill School/Merrist College) tied for 18th with a 149. He was four-over on Sunday and then added a three-over today to card a 149. He had four birdies, with three coming on the front-nine.
With one title already under their belts, WNMU will return to action on Feb. 22-23 when the JV Mustangs will play in the Bronco Invite in Roswell.
