Mount Olive Invitational golf
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 11, 2012 1:48 PM
Mount Olive College's mens golf team played one of its best rounds of the season and rallied from a five-shot deficit to win the Mount Olive College Invitational at Walnut Creek Country Club on Tuesday afternoon.
The Trojans finished with a two-day team total of 591 which was good enough to defeat Barton by 12 shots. Mount Olive was led by Dalton Gore, who finished third in the individual standings thanks to a round of 69 on Tuesday.
"The mens team in the past has started the season strong and sort of faded," Mount Olive head coach Chip Spiron said. "This year we have gone the other direction and we seem to be getting better every tournament."
Gore led the Trojans with a two-day total of 143. Jesus Valderrama (147), Kyle Ham (148) and Mark O'Hara (155) completed the team score for Mount Olive.
The day went smoothly for Gore depite windy conditions. Thanks to a hot putter and some timely iron shots, the sophomore was able to rip off four birdies on the back nine.
"I was really putting the ball well today," Gore said. "I made enough birdies to be the medalist of the tournament, but I had too many mistakes on the first day."
Queens University's Freddie Nordhoff emerged the medalist on the mens side with a 140 total. Barton College standout Daniel Claytor (142) finished second individually.
Second place was the story of the afternoon for Mount Olive on the womens side of the scoreboard. The Trojans finished second in the team standings behind Queens University and Valentina Urquiola finished second in the individual standings.
Urquiola followed a first-round 74 with an 80 on Tuesday. Her 154 total was second to Queens University product Julia Wenderlund's 153 mark.
Emelie Andersson (167), Emy Ohling (168) and Tegan Skirptsas (175) rounded-out the Trojans' two-day team total of 662.
"The girls had a little bit tougher time today with the conditions," Spiron said. "But overall I am not displeased with the total that they shot because they played pretty consistent golf."
Mount Olive will enjoy a two-week break before taking part in the Conference Carolinas Tournament in Vass, N.C. on April 22-24. The tournament is being hosted by Belmont Abbey College.