In its final tournament of the fall season, the NC State men’s golf team finished in second place at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrolton, Texas Tuesday, Oct 23.
Top-ranked and defending national champion Oklahoma State won the event, but the Wolfpack defeated the other six ranked teams with scores of 287, 278 and 294 for the three rounds.
Senior Stephen Franken played a major role in the Pack’s finish. He finished one-under par over the three days with his best round being the second as he shot a 64. The third round proved to be a little more difficult as he shot a four-over-par 74, but even with that he still finished in the top five with a score of 209.
Junior Benjamin Shipp led NC State with team-low scores in the first (68) and third (71) rounds, which led to him finishing with a 216 and tied for 12th place.
Senior Harrison Rhoades helped the Wolfpack stay in second place by shooting a 68 in the second round, but shot a 75 in the other two. He finished in a tie for 18th place with a 218.
Sophomore Easton Paxton finished with a 220 in a tie for 26th place. He was consistent throughout the tournament with scores of 73, 73 and 74. Junior Christian Salzer was the other Pack competitor, finishing in a tie for 57th place at 231.
The Wolfpack closed the fall season out strong, as this second-place finish coupled with the first place finish at the Wolfpack Intercollegiate should have it confident going into the spring.
The Pack will play seven tournaments starting in February with the Sea Best Invitational in Ponte Vedra, Florida.
