Longview, TX -- On March 12th and 13th, the Blackburn College Men's Golf team traveled to Longview, TX to compete in the Yellow Jacket Spring Invite hosted by LeTourneau University. Upon arrival, the Beavers found the weather to be similar to that of Illinois as rain onslaught the course, two nights before the tournament was to begin. The rain made Pinecrest Country Club even more difficult than the course already was. With these wet conditions it made it difficult for the Beavers to adjust to the golf course. With eleven teams competing, including the number one team in the nation according to NCAA.com, University of Texas-Tyler, the Beavers looked to make the most of the tournament and get off to a hot start. However, this was not the case as the Beavers found themselves having difficulty adjusting to the conditions of the course and the mental challenge of playing 36 holes of competitive golf in one day.
Senior Trenton Easley led the Beavers in the first round with a 76. He was followed by Senior, Jordan McMillen who shot 82. Junior Anthony Harper shot 83 and Kyle Kesinger rounded out the first round scoring with a 85. Immediately following the first round, Blackburn headed right back out to the course to play the second round. Kesinger led the Beavers in the second round with a 76. He was followed by Easley who shot an 80. Harper shot an 82 while McMillen was not far behind with an 84. After the first two rounds the Beavers totaled a team score of 648 which put them in tenth out of eleven teams competing.
The next day Blackburn headed out for the final round of just 18 holes. The Beavers were led by Kesinger and Harper who both shot 82, while Easley was not far behind with an 83 and McMillen rounded out the scoring with an 85. With a final three round score of 980. Placing them tenth out of eleven teams.
"It's a mental grind playing 36 in one day, it really challenges you, for us I feel like this tournament was important learning experience. At the SLIAC tournament at the end of the season we have to play 36 holes in one day for the first two rounds, and this tournament showed us what breaks down in our game when trying to focus for 36" says Kesinger.
The Beavers next tournament will take place at The Links in Jacksonville, IL hosted by Illinois College on March 24th and 25th. Tee times are to be released later this week.