Bronchos beat MSU in playoff

Eric Spruill
The Edmond Sun

Tue, May 13 2008

— The Central Oklahoma men’s golf team overcame a nine-stroke deficit over the final seven holes of the UCO/KickingBird Classic on Tuesday, to knock off Midwestern State in a one-hole playoff, as the Bronchos took home the team title at the event for the third time in four years.
Zach Cleland and Brent Cole, each birdied the first hole in the playoff to hold off the Mustangs.
UCO sophomore Colby Shrum posted a 2-under 68 in the final round, to take individual medalist honors for the third time this spring. Freshmen Baer Aneshansley, who competed for the B team, birdied the final five holes, finishing his round with a 68, good enough to put him in second place.
UCO’s Chance Tatum, who went into the day nursing a two-stroke lead, finished tied for third at 4-over par for the tournament, after shooting a 76 on Tuesday.
“The only reason we got into a playoff today, is because my players would not quit. I think we were nine shots down with seven holes to go, so they had to come back again,” head coach Dax Johnston said. “Man, to go into a playoff, No. 1 at 450 yards with the wind blowing directly in their face, and to have two players get birdies on that hole is incredible.”
The Bronchos trailed No. 3-ranked St. Edwards by three strokes going into the final round, but it was Midwestern that separated itself from the field, in the incredibly windy conditions.
St. Edwards won the UCO/KickingBird Classic last year, but the Bronchos returned the favor this season, winning the St. Edward’s Invitational back in February.
Johnston believes Shrum’s performance throughout the season, ranks him in the top 5 nationally.
“This just proves how good he is, he left a lot of shots out there, he had a chance to play much better, and he still shot 2-under for the day. Colby is one of the five best players in Division II, and I think he keeps proving that week in and week out.”
Cleland finished in 17th place, while Cooper Barrick took 39th in the 54-hole tournament.
The Bronchos will play in its regular-season finale on March 31st in the two-day Grand Canyon Invitational in Goodyear, Arizona.