NMMI Sports Press
It was a busy week for the Colt Golf team, competing at the Bulldog Classic Monday in Artesia where they finished second and then at the Coyote Invite at the Nancy Lopez Course just down the road from the NMMI campus.
While the Colts didn’t fair as well in the latter tourney, finishing 5th with only two golfers cracking the top 15 as individuals, the Colts still managed to make a literal splash Thursday.
The Colts top-seeded golfer, junior Mason Hicks, finished outside the top 10 for only the second time this season, and with just a few holes to go, he found his ball on the shallow bank of the Spring River at green No. 12.
Hicks consulted with head coach Randy Doerhoefer and decided to play it where it lies. He then promptly removed his shirt, cap, socks and shoes and stepped into the river, much to the delight of his peers and others nearby at the tee boxes for holes 13 and 16.
“I wasn’t playing worth a darn and I didn’t want to take the walk of shame back to the drop area. I had half the ball above water so I just though, why not? Let’s have some fun,” Hicks said. “I wasn’t happy with my play today, but that helped lighten the mood and bring my spirits up.”
Hicks swing was true as water shot straight up past his face and the ball went far enough to stay on the hill and give him a manageable shot to preserve a bogey.
No. 2 seed Bruno Escobar finished 10th, his third top-10 finish in a row and the first time the sophomore from Mexico finished ahead of Hicks. Escobar hit birdies on holes two and 16 and made par on seven holes to finish with an 84, seven strokes off the lead.
“Bruno has come a long way and I’m glad he’s playing well today, he’s worked hard and deserves it,” said Hicks. “I feel good about this team. I think that if we all show up and do the work we need to do, this should be the best team I’ve been a part of at NMMI.”
As they did at their home tourney, Artesia dominated the top of the leaderboard, finishing 1-2-3 with two more ‘Dogs in the top 15 to easily win the team competition by 18 strokes.
The Colts have two more out-of-town events before the Alien 8 Invite at the NMMI Golf Course on April 23 and the Colt Classic takes place on May 2.
For full results of the Coyote Invitational, click here.