PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Lewis-Clark State College men’s golf team came up with its best round during the final day of the Arizona Intercollegiate golf tournament at the Francisco Grande Resort and jumped four places to finish 10th overall on Tuesday. 

The Warriors, playing in their first tournament of the spring, shot a 300 team score on the final 18 holes for a 54-hole total of 912. The first 36 holes were played on Monday, which found the Warriors in 14th place. 

LCSC’s Chris Kneen shot a 74 on Tuesday and finished with a team-best 222 total.  His opening round of 71 was the best score by any Warrior in the tournament and helped him place 27th overall. Jeff Ray fired a 76 for a 225 total, which left him tied for 34th, while Joey Lovell had a final round of 73 to lead the Warriors. He finished with a 228 total and tied for 41st. 

LCSC coach Paul Thompson said the long course at 7,344 yards played tough, and it didn’t help that LCSC had only been outside for a few rounds during the winter, while nearly all of the other tournament teams come from climates more favorable for year-round play. 

Oklahoma Christian, the host school for the tournament, captured the team title at 852, followed by the University of British Columbia at 867. Oklahoma City was third at 871. 

Both LCSC golf teams will participate in a tournament Feb. 25-26 in Clarkston. The men’s tournament will be at the Clarkston Golf & Country Club, while the women’s tournament will be at Quail Ridge Golf Course. 

Team scores – 1, Oklahoma Christian 852. 2, British Columbia 867. 3, tie, Berry and Oklahoma City 871. 5, tie, California State-East Bay and Lindenwood 892. 7, Southern Nazarene 896. 8, Savannah College of Art 897. 9, Concordia (CA.) 899. 10, Lewis-Clark State 912. 11, Embry-Riddle 914. 12, Meridian CC 915. 13. Lubbock Christian 916. 14, California Baptist 817.

Lewis-Clark State 310-302-300–912 – 27, Chris Kneen 71-77-74–222; T, 34 Jeff Ray 75-74-76–225; T 41 Joey Lovell 79-76-73–228; T 64, Nik Arrenbrecht 85-75-77–237; 71, James Rooney 85-77-81–243.