Men's Golf 4/6/2026 9:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Leads The Field At Firekeeper

Bronchos Have An Eight-Shot Lead At Washburn's Firekeeper Invitational

MAYETTA, Kan. – Central Oklahoma leads the field after two trips around Firekeeper Golf Course Monday when the Bronchos earned an eight-shot lead in the final event of the regular season.

UCO opened with an even-par 288 in the morning and returned with a 6-under 282 in the afternoon to take command of the 17-team tournament with a 36-hole 570. Host Washburn (578) is second, Missouri Western (580) is third, and Central Missouri (582) is fourth. Washburn has a second team (585) that sits fifth.

Rhett Hughes, who won MIAA Men's Golf Athlete of the Week last week for a runner-up finish, is in second place after two trips around the 7,125-yard Par 72 course north of Topeka. The sophomore from Edmond shot an even-par 72 in the opening round Monday morning before torching Firekeeper the second time around with a 6-under 66.

Hughes opened the second round with a bogey on No. 10, then birdied three of the next four, five on the back nine, and two more after making the turn. He had 10 par putts to go with the seven birdies. He had five birdies and eight pars in the first round earlier Monday.

Hughes is one shot back of host Washburn's Myles Tarvin (68-69 – 137).

Nick Canales is right behind Hughes on the leaderboard. The junior shot back-to-back 1-under 71s on Monday and his 142 is in striking distance of the leader. Canales was steady throughout the day with 11 par putts, four birdies and three bogeys on both trips around the course.

Karsten Paciotti is tied for sixth individually with an even-par 144 to give the Bronchos three bags in the Top 10. Paciotti was 2-under through three holes Monday morning before a rugged stretch on the back nine. He had three bogeys and a double on five holes from No. 12-16 but the turnaround was big. Paciotti sank eight pars with birdie putts on No. 3 & 4 after the hiccup to finish 1-over for the day.

In the afternoon, Paciotti kept it going with eight pars and two birdies through the first 10 holes of the second round. He bogeyed No. 1 and doubled No. 2 but had two more birdies down the stretch to get back to 1-under for the round.

Baylor Bostick (147) is tied for 25th individually after rounds of 72 and 75. He had 13 par putts and a trio of birdies on the even-par morning and 13 par putts and a pair of birdies on the 3-over afternoon.

Ty Hyatt (76-74 – 150) is UCO's fifth in the lineup. Andrew Talburt (73-78 – 151) and Brock Jerman (80-75 – 155) are playing as individuals this week.

Central Oklahoma tees off at 9 a.m. in the final round of the Firekeeper Invitational Tuesday. The Bronchos will head to Jefferson City, Missouri for the MIAA Men's Golf Championships April 13-15. UCO will continue the postseason at the NCAA Division II Central/Midwest Regional Championships in Big Rapids, Michigan May 7-9.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Baylor Bostick: Junior

Nick Canales: Junior

Rhett Hughes: Sophomore

Ty Hyatt: Sophomore

Karsten Paciotti: Senior

Brock Jerman: Freshman

Andrew Talburt: Junior

Players Mentioned

Baylor Bostick
: Junior

Nick Canales
: Junior

Rhett Hughes
: Sophomore

Ty Hyatt
: Sophomore

Karsten Paciotti
: Senior

Brock Jerman
: Freshman

Andrew Talburt
: Junior