GCU claims Cowboy Classic title

Monday, April 1

Maricopa, Ariz. | Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

Grand Canyon

Cowboy Classic

4/2/2024 4:37:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

Pennington takes 3rd place with 11-under scorecard

By: Nick Macdonald

MARICOPA, Ariz. – Entering the final day of the Wyoming Cowboy Classic with a seven-stroke lead, the Grand Canyon men's golf team knew it had to keep its pace in a field that had 16 of the 23 teams finish even par or better. After a small setback at the conclusion of the second round, GCU climbed back into the leader's position Tuesday and claimed the team title at 31 under par.

The two-day tournament was held at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa. Tuesday's play was scheduled to only include the third round, but lightning in the area suspended second-round play Monday and all golfers began the morning finishing the second round.

GCU entered Tuesday at 27 under and kept a seven-stroke advantage over second-place UNLV and eight-stroke lead over USC. The Lopes' hot play fizzled in the early-morning hours Tuesday with bogeys and a double bogey on the scorecard and trailed USC entering the final round.

Each Lopes player began the third round with pars on the first two holes played and six birdies combined through the five golfers' front nine. GCU found its Monday form on the back nine, totaling 11 birdies and an eagle to jump back into first place over surging UNLV and Iowa State.

"I want to thank God for all that he does and allowing for us to compete today," Lopes head coach Mark Mueller said. "It was so much fun watching these guys compete today. Down six with nine holes to go and our guys just kept fighting. We were able to make some birdies late, and watching the guys compete in a long tournament like this that had delays, was a lot of fun with the team effort they displayed."

GCU's back nine was fueled by senior Matthew Pennington, who birdied his last three holes for a total of 14 for the tournament. Pennington finished the tournament at 11 under par to capture third place, tallying only one bogey and one double bogey over 54 holes.

All five Lopes finished in the top 35 out of 120 golfers. Senior Tommaso Zorzetto carded a bogey-free third round with two birdies to finish tied for ninth at 7 under par.

GCU seniors Nicky Kling and Craig Passmore each tied for 25th at 4 under, combining for five birdies in the third round while Kling added an eagle. His second eagle of the tournament made him one of four golfers to have multiple eagles this week. Lopes freshman Gavin O'Neill tied for 31st at 3 under, recording four birdies with two over his final four holes.

The Lopes' record improved to 108-40-2 on the season. The tournament win is their second of the season and their sixth top-three finish. GCU entered the week ranked No. 70 in the Scoreboard Clippd rankings. By defeating four teams ahead of them (No. 48 Long Beach State, No. 49 UNLV, No. 61 Kansas and No. 68 CSU Fullerton), the Lopes improved to No. 67.