PRINEVILLE, Ore.—With its top four golfers hitting par or below in the second round, the Concordia men’s golf team captured the opening event of the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule by posting a 23-stroke win at the Cavalier Classic held at Meadow Lakes Golf Course on Monday.  

 

Concordia (296-280—576) held a two-stroke lead over College of Idaho (298-314—612) through the first 18 holes as 11 strokes separated the five CCC schools at the midway point, but a dominating second go-around, led by a 5-under 67 from freshman Taylor Schmidt (76-67—143) paced the Cavaliers to the team win.

 

Also posting a strong second half, Northwest Christian (304-295—599) moved up from fourth to second place in the CCC standings while a consistent 36 holes allowed Warner Pacific (302-301—604) to hold on to third place. Corban (307-303—610) edged C of I by two strokes as the Coyotes dropped from second place to fifth after the second round of play.

 

The field will return tomorrow for another 18 holes to complete the Cavalier Classic. The CCC portion of the event, however, concluded with Monday’s action.

 

The University of Victoria (273-284—557), an 11th-place finisher at the 2010 NAIA National Championships, controlled the team race with a team tally of 19-under. The Vikings have four of the top eight individuals including overall leader Samuel Holland (63-73—136) who came within a single stroke of the course record with a 9-under in the opening round.

 

Holland was followed by teammate Jarred Callbeck (70-70—140) who carded back-to-back 2-under 70s  to finish two strokes ahead of Concordia’s Jared Moe (71-71—142) and UVIKS’ Chase Teron (71-71—142). Four players came in tied for fifth place, including CU freshmen Schmidt and Jesse Heinly (73-70—143) and Northwest Christian’s Brent McKee (70-73—143).

 

Warner Pacific’s Andrew Johnson (72-73—145) cracked the top 10 with a ninth-place finish while Corban’s Joey Duwe (74-72—146), the reigning CCC Player of the Year, ended the day in a tie for 10th place. College of Idaho was led by Mark Baer (74-75—149) who came in tied for 19th place.