Air Force finishes in 8th place at Falcon invitational

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Academy golf team saved its best round for last, shooting a 289 on the final day of the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational held at the par-71 Eisenhower Blue Golf Course here Sept. 11.

The Falcons finished in a tie for eighth-place with Weber State University at 887. Southern Utah State University took home the team title with a three-round total of 869, while University of Wyoming’s Jeff Franks, competing unattached, earned medalist honors with a four-under 209.

The Falcons were led by sophomore Ben Jackman who shot an even 71 in the final round to finish in a tie for 17th (plus 7, 220). The rest of the Falcons were each a stroke apart as junior captain Scott Redmond tied for 26th at 10-over, Daryl McCoy was tied for 32nd at 11-over and Kala’e Leong was in a tie for 35th (plus 12). Wrapping up the competition for Air Force was sophomore Tyler Goulding who was in a tie for sixth following the first round, but struggled down the stretch to finish in a tie for 41st at 12 over par.

Boise State University, which posted the lowest round of the day at 287, finished second in the team standings at 874, while Grand Canyon University was third at 879. Mountain West competitors Utah and Wyoming were tied for fourth (882), followed by Utah Valley State (883) and Gonzaga (885) universities in sixth and seventh, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 was Utah State with a three-round score of 896.

The Air Force junior varsity squad moved up a spot in the team results, finishing 14th in the 15-team field with a final round of 295. Junior captain Christian Jackson led the team with a total of 225, tying for 25th overall. Meanwhile, sophomore Chad Follett turned in the best round of any Falcon during the tournament, shooting a one-under 70.

The Falcons play again Sept. 26 and 27, when they head to Dallas to compete in the annual Service Academy Classic. Air Force will join Army, Navy and the Merchant Marines in a battle to claim the Reemtsma Trophy, awarded to the champion each year. The Falcons have won the trophy for the past nine straight years.