Cats struggle during final round

TUCSON, Ariz. ?- The University of Arizona men’s golf team shot a 31-over 319 Tuesday and finished in 15th place at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in Orlando, Fla.

Arizona’s 319 tally gave the team a 914 total after 54 holes, which placed the team 15th in the 18-team field.  UA’s 50-over tally for the tournament was 38 strokes behind tournament-winner Texas.  Florida (888), Texas A&M (890), Oklahoma State (892) and Georgia (893) rounded out the top five places.

High winds, a chilly 51 degrees and difficult final-round pin placements affected the entire field.  No team finished under par during Tuesday’s round, while three of the five teams in the field carded double-digit rounds over par.

Junior Creighton Honeck was Arizona’s top golfer, finishing with a 10-over 226 total and a tie for 33^rd place.  Teammate Trey Denton tied for 35^th place at 11-over 227.  Georgia’s Brian Harman captured individual medalist honors with an even-par 216 total.

Senior Josh Esler tied for 53rd place at 14-over 230, while junior Travis Esway finished in 84^th place at 241 (+25).  Freshman Pedro Oriol, who withdrew during the first round, carded a final-round 78, Arizona’s low round of the day.

The Isleworth Collegiate Invitational was contested at Isleworth Country Club, a par 72, 7,544-yard layout.  The event was hosted by the University of Central Florida.  Arizona will next be in action, Oct. 29-31, at the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship in Fort Worth, Texas.

Top-Five Teams                                                                                  Top-Five Individuals

1.       Texas                                   876 (+12)                               1.    Brian Harman, Georgia............................ 70-71-75=216 (E)

2.       Florida                                  888 (+24)                               2.    Dustin Groves, Wake Forest.................. 75-67-75=217 (+1)

3.       Texas A&M                          890 (+26)                                      Billy Horschel, Florida............................. 79-67-71=217 (+1)       

4.       Oklahoma State                 892 (+28)                               4.    Matt Bortis, Texas..................................... 75-72-71=218 (+2)

5.       Georgia                                893 (+29)                                      Roberto Castro, Georgia Tech.............. 74-70-74=218 (+2)

                                                                                                                Arizona Finishers

                                                                                                    T33.    Creighton Honeck................................. 71-74-81=226 (+10)

                                                                                                    T35.    Trey Denton............................................ 73-74-80=227 (+11)

                                                                                                    T53.    Josh Esler............................................... 74-76-80=230 (+14)

                                                                                                      84.    Travis Esway.......................................... 77-76-88=241 (+25)

                                                                                                                Pedro Oriol................................................................ WD-82-78