Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma Intercollegiate
Tech Takes Share of Team Title at Oklahoma Intercollegiate
October 16, 2007 | Men's Golf
Oct. 16, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas - Facing a five-stroke difference heading into Tuesday's final round, the No. 25 Texas Tech men's golf team fought back to finish in a first-place tie and claim its second team title of the fall at the Oklahoma Intercollegiate held at the Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Okla. With the title, the Red Raiders have won two fall titles for the first time since 2001.
"We set a goal to play it one shot at a time," Tech coach Greg Sands said. "The guys did a great job and played well all the way through to the end. We're happy that we came out in first."
Tech concluded the final round at plus-40 892 to tie for first place with SMU. No. 35 Arkansas finished seven strokes back to claim third place, while Texas A&M finished eight strokes back in fourth. Baylor rounded off the top five at 12 shots back. Host Oklahoma, Santa Clara, Tulsa, Oral Roberts, Texas San Antonio and Stephen F. Austin finished off the rest of the field in that order.
Round three started with Tech five strokes back of the Mustangs. Behind Sergio Franky's one-over 72 and Will Griffin's clutch shooting the final two holes to beat his man, the Red Raiders fired a 299 over the final 18 to pull even with SMU and claim a share of the title.
For the second time this fall, Tech placed three golfers in the top 10 individually. Griffin, a sophomore, finished with a three-over 216 to take home second place, while junior Garrett Merrell recorded the highest finish of his career with a seventh-place tie at 11-over 224. Santiago Rivas carded a 225 to tie for ninth and Franky recorded the best finish of his career with a 228 to come in tied at 18th. Matt Smith rounded off the Red Raiders' scoring at 238.
Sands' squad will have two weeks off before finishing off its fall season at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Oct. 29-30.
Players Mentioned
