Griffith Loses In Playoff, Bronchos Finish Fourth

HUMBLE, Texas (Feb. 8) – Evan Griffith tied for medalist honors before losing in a playoff in leading Central Oklahoma to a fourth-place finish in the Houston Classic that wrapped up Tuesday.

The Bronchos closed with a 310 at the 6,945-yard, par-72 Golf Club of Houston to end the two-day, 54-hole tournament with an 903 total. Defending NCAA Division II national champion Arkansas Tech won the 14-team event at 860, followed by Oklahoma Christian (884), Cameron (889) and UCO.

Griffith had a final-round 74 to finish with a three-under 213 total in tying ATU's Francois Jacobs and Santiago De La Fuente for the individual title. Jacobs won the three-way playoff on the first hole.

Bennett Baldwin shot 78, while Caleb Kimmel and Liam Coughlin had 79s. Kyle Hickey was unable to play the final round with a back injury that hampered him throughout Monday's 36-hole day. Riley Harris had a 78 competing as an individual medalist.

"We really struggled today," head coach Derrick Thompson said. "It was good to finally get started and we saw a lot of things we need to work on before our next tournament."

Griffith offset a second-hole bogey with a birdie on the par-4 fourth, then bogeyed No. 7 in making the turn at over-over 37. The sophomore reeled off six straight pars to start the back nine, bogeyed No. 16 and finished with two more pars in coming back with another 37.

UCO returns to action Feb. 28-March 1 at the Broncho Invitational, which will be held at Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City.

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Players Mentioned

Evan Griffith: Freshman

Caleb Kimmel: Freshman

Bennett Baldwin: 6' 1"; Freshman

Liam Coughlin: Freshman

Riley Harris: Freshman

Kyle Hickey: 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Evan Griffith
: Freshman

Caleb Kimmel
: Freshman

Bennett Baldwin
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Liam Coughlin
: Freshman

Riley Harris
: Freshman

Kyle Hickey
: 5' 9"; Junior