University golf team wins ASC championship

A record breaking 34-stroke victory earned the University's men's golf team their first American Southwest Conference championship in Marble Falls last week.

Brandon Ellis brought home first place overall, shooting 68, 68 and 73, and winning by eight strokes over Michael Goldwater of Concordia University. He turned in the only final score under par.

"Everything went perfect this week," Ellis said. "I was putting good, hitting good and keeping the ball in play. I wanted to peak at the right time and it seems that I have."

Freshman Joey Rippel tied for third with a total score of 222 (70-73-79). Bobby Ennis followed closely behind, placing fifth with a total score of 224 (75-75-74).

Jacob Walsh and Tynan Day rounded out the group shooting 227 and 230 respectfully.

The team shot a three round total of 876, breaking 300 each round. Mary Hardin-Baylor finished second with a score of 910. Schreiner University placed third.

The 34 strokes is the largest margin of victory in conference tournament history, and marks the Patriots seventh straight win.

"We've played well this entire semester," coach King Campbell said. "We've had five guys that have played well all year and it continued ... I was thrilled, and this is one of the highlights of my career."

Campbell was named the ASC Coach of the Year. An honor he received last year as the women's coach.

Ellis, Rippel and Ennis all earned first team All-Conference honors. Walsh was named to the second team.

The conference wins earns the Patriots an automatic bid into the NCAA Div. III National Tournament in Hersey, Pa. on May 11-14. The team competed in last year's national tournament after receiving an at-large bid and placed fourth.