The Bears swept both the team and individual titles at a conference championship for the second time in five years, this time doing the honors in the eight-team Big Sky Conference Championship in Boulder City, Nev.
UNC prevailed by three strokes over Southern Utah, finishing with a three-day total of 10-under-par 854. It was the first team championship for the Northern Colorado men since they won the America Sky title in 2014.
Meanwhile, Andrew Romano, a senior from Lone Tree, landed the program’s first individual win in a major college tournament since Coby Welch won the Colorado Mark Simpson Invitational in September 2016, and UNC’s first conference title since Ben Krueger claimed the America Sky win in 2014.
Romano notched his first individual college victory after tying for the top spot with Fidel Concepcion of Southern Utah, then winning a playoff. Romano went 70-67-71 for an 8-under-par 208 total.
Welch (seventh, 216) and Li Chen (ninth, 217) also placed in the top 10 individually for UNC, while Sam Marley (11th, 220) and Big Sky Player of the Year Joshua Matz (18th, 223) rounded out the scores for the Bears.
“I am so happy for the guys, especially our two seniors, Sam and Andrew, who have seen this program through thick and thin,” coach Roger Prenzlow said.
Men’s Big Sky Championship
April 27-29, 2018 (final) in Boulder City, Nev.
1. (out of 8 teams) Northern Colorado 286-284-284–854
1. Andrew Romano 70-67-71–208
7. Coby Welch 71-72-73–216
9. Li Chen 76-72-69–217
11. Sam Marley 69-73-78–220
18. Joshua Matz 79-73-71–223
The former University of Colorado golfer followed up his 2006 and 2011 victories at Airport Golf Club in Cheyenne by prevailing in the 60th Wyoming State Open, earning $7,000 in the process.
The native of Australia (pictured) posted rounds of 64-65-65 for a 16-under-par 194 total, which was good for a two-shot win. Webber used a 13th-hole eagle to play the first five holes of the back nine in 5 under par on Sunday. For the week, he finished with an eagle, 20 birdies, four bogeys and one double bogey.
Brady Watt of The Woodlands, Texas closed with a 66 to place second at 196. Amateur Quintin Pope of Cheyenne claimed low amateur honors for the second straight year by placing third overall at 200 after a 64 on Sunday.
For all the scores from the Wyoming State Open, CLICK HERE.
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