KU Men’s Golf Wins Desert Shootout

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – With every Jayhawk finishing in the top-20, the Kansas men’s golf team won the Desert Shootout  at Palm Valley Golf Course in Goodyear, Arizona, Saturday.

KU shot a final-day 279 (-9) and recorded a three-round 829 (-35) to outdistance runner-up Iowa State by eight strokes at 837 (-27) in the 15-team field. The Jayhawks led after all three rounds in the event and their title was Kansas’ first since winning the Hawkeye Invitational April 13-14, 2013.

“We played solid all three days,” Kansas head coach Jamie Bermel said following the team title as KU shot a 278 (-10) and 272 (-16) in its first two rounds. “We stumbled a little bit today, but the guys were in control the whole way. I think they grew up today on the golf course. We shot nine-under today and no one shot over par today from our team.”

KU sophomore Chase Hanna led the Jayhawks in the final round posting a 67 (-5) with one eagle and five birdies. Hanna finished the Desert Shootout with a three-round 70-74-67—211 (-5) to place tied for 18^th. Behind Hanna Saturday was redshirt freshman Brock Drogosch who finished tied for second in the 85-golfer field, shooting a three-round 66-71-69—206 (-10), carding five birdies in the final round.

“Brock had a good week and really played well. They all played well,” Bermel said. “We lead after every round and the guys just continued to gain more and more confidence as the week went on.”

Kansas junior Ben Welle and freshman Daniel Hudson each tied Hanna for 18^th. Welle shot a three-round 72-68-71—211 (-5) with one eagle and three birdies in his final round. Hudson shot an even-par 72 Saturday and had a three-round 70-69-72—211 (-5).

At 206 (-10), Drogosch tied for second with Dan Sutton of Idaho, Sam Daley of Iowa State and Louis Cohen Boyer of Wichita State, all two strokes behind the individual leader Antoine Rozner of UMKC at 204 (–12).

Junior Connor Peck placed ninth for the Jayhawks shooting a three round 72-64-72—208 (-8). Playing as an individual, KU redshirt freshman Jacques Wilson finished tied for 13^th in his first collegiate tournament shooting a three-round 70-70-70—210 (-6).

“I’m proud of these guys. We aren’t where we want to be, but we are moving in the right direction,” Bermel said. “This is a great way to end our Spring Break trip!”

Up next, the Jayhawks travel to West Point, Mississippi to compete in the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship, April 6-7.

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