PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman began defense of its National Minority Collegiate Golf Championships Friday as both the men's and women's squads took the lead and individual leads after the first round.
The Wildcat men seek to win their fourth Championship in five years as they set the tone Friday with a Men's Division I-leading score of even-par 288 on the Wanamaker Course. Sam Sloman fired a 71 to lead the Wildcats to a comfortable 14-stroke lead. Incarnate Word's men's team (302) also sit in second place heading into the weekend.
Tony O'Neal, Head Coach of the men's and women's teams at Bethune-Cookman, recognizes that, while his Wildcats currently stand at the top of the leaderboard, there is always room to improve.
"These kids have to challenge themselves each and every time they go out to play even better than before," he said. "Today, we only had one player under par. So, tomorrow's goal is to get more players under par. You're playing against the field, but you're also challenging yourself each day to be better."
Other B-CU men's scores:
Christian Hovstadius - 72
Marcus Sundlof - 72
Daniel Brennan - 73
Joel Ramirez - 78
Pursuing a sixth consecutive and 14th overall Championship in program history, the Bethune-Cookman women lead the Women's Division by six strokes over the University of the Incarnate Word (301). Playing on the Ryder Course, junior Mackenzie
Butzer led the way for the Wildcats (295) with a bogey-free, 3-under-par 69. In fact, Butzer was the lone golfer in any division to break 70.
"My whole goal was to keep it in the fairway and play middle of the green on every hole," Butzer said. "I simplified it down and it really worked in my favor. I did miss a few short birdie putts. Hopefully, I can lock-in on those tomorrow."
Other B-CU women's scores:
Yudika Rodriguez - 75
Shamiso Hatchard - 75
Alejandra Sanchez - 76
Saraid Ruiz - 77
The 54-hole event comprising of six divisions finishes on Sunday.
Pat Kravitz of PGA of America contributed to this report
