Tough winds and times for Cyclones in Arizona Invitational.

Ivan Vega

On the first invitational of the year, the Iowa State Cyclones have come out to participate in the Arizona Intercollegiate Invitational. Located at the Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol.

 The weather is a consistent 60 degrees with just a slight chance of precipitation, but the gushing winds were a factor in this event as many athletes battled them till the last hole.

The Cyclones finish the first day of the Arizona Invitational of this fair-weather day of January, at a score of   302   finishing tied 12th lace.

In the beginning rounds it seemed that the Cyclones were going to struggle against the higher ranked teams in this competition.

Yet the consistent and still very impactful Denzel Ieremia, Redshirt Junior, out of New Zealand, as he done most of his career has showed why he on the nation’s top golfers.

Starting off in a very high level, performing five straight birdies coming from his third hole of the competition.  And ending up staying even for the most of the competition.

Nick Voke, the US Amateurs participate, came into this season strong and consistent.  Coming in very motivated, Voke stayed fairly close to even to par from the start of his competition. 

Ruben Sondjaja came back into this season with hopes to work off his strong fall season campaign. Starting the day even to par, and then finding a rhythm only coming off one over the par for seven straight holes.

But was not enough to keep the Cyclones in the top five in this invitational.

The day ended up on a slope as the Cyclones did not managed to hold their steady pace and ended up slipping five spots to be tied 12th place.

With six top-50 ranked teams ahead of them, No.20 Oregon, No.50 New Mexico, No.44 Brigham Young University, No.8 Texas A&M, and No.45 Texas-El Paso, in this competition alone, the Cyclones do have their work cut out for them.

Still the Cyclones did have a lot to be proud of as Voke (31) just 6 over the par, did finished the day tied for 23rd place on the individual’s leadership. Along him in the competition’s top performers are Ieremia (34) and Sondjaja (28).

Tripp Kinney, the native Iowan, and true freshman, continues to make improvements in his game. Ending at a score of 30, the Iowan native is making more strides to become a crucial part in this Cyclone team.

Sam Vincent ended at a respective 29, and tied for 69th place on the score board.

 

The Cyclones will continue tomorrow at Arizona.