FHSU Athletics
OWASSO, Okla. – Cooper Scheck of Fort Hays State shot 6-under par to top the field at the Hillcat Classic in Owasso, Okla., held at Bailey Ranch Golf Club, a par-72 venue. It was the second victory of Scheck's career at FHSU. Fort Hays State placed fifth as a team, collectively posting rounds of 301, 289, and 297 for a three-round total of 887.
Scheck made a big move in the second round with a 5-under par 67 to close out his first day of action. He had a clean round of 13 pars and five birdies. After a first-round 1-over par 73, he moved to within one stroke of the lead following his second round. Ben Jackson of Southwestern Oklahoma State led at 5-under par going into the final round, but Scheck shot 2-under par to get past Jackson in the final round. Jackson shot even par in the final round. Scheck took the tournament by going 2-under par over his final eight holes, while Jackson bogeyed his final hole to fall one back of Scheck. Scheck went bogey-free for a 27-hole stretch from the start of his second round to midway through his third round.
Scheck led the tournament field in pars with 40 and tied for fourth-most birdies with 11. He had the best scoring on par 4s by five strokes, shooting 6-under par over 30 par-4 holes. Scheck was one of the three golfers that finished under par for the tournament. He also had only three holes he finished over par on, fewest among the field.
Chutithep Rungpajchim also had a strong showing, tying for 6th place at 2-over par overall with rounds of 73 (+1), 72 (E), and 73 (+1). He had two eagles in the tournament, tying for the most among the field. One of the eagles was on a par 4. He had a total of eight birdies in the tournament to go with his two eagles.
Colby Hays tied for 33rd place at +16 with rounds of 77 (+5), 74 (+2), and 81 (+9). Hays finished with six birdies, along with an eagle on a par-5.
Jordan McCaslin and Jason Brokaw both tied for 37th place, finishing 17-over par. McCaslin finished with rounds of 78 (+6), 77 (+5), and 78 (+6), scoring six birdies. Brokaw finished with rounds of 78 (+6), 76 (+4), 79 (+7), carding three birdies and an eagle on a par 4.
Grant McAtee tied for 39th and finished 22-over par. He had rounds of 85, 77, 76 and had two birdies.
Southwestern Oklahoma State won the tournament as a team at 3-under par overall. The Bulldogs shot rounds of 289, 285, and 287 (861). Northwestern Oklahoma State (872), Rogers State (878), and Newman (884) placed second through fourth.
The Tigers return to action in Murray, Kentucky on March 16-17 at the Dragon Spring Invitational.