Odessa, Texas -- An even-par team score of 288 after the opening round on Thursday had the Indian Hills Warriors feeling good about their chances at the NJCAA National Preview. However, the Warriors struggled in Friday's closing 18 holes and wound up 7th in the meet at the Odessa County Club course where the National Championship will be contested next May.
IHCC had a score of 300 in the second round, 25 shots behind eventual winner Ranger College whom they were one stroke ahead of after the first 18 holes. After leading the field in round one, the Warriors saw nine teams best their second-day total. Ranger ran away with the team title, winning by 16 shots.
Indian Hills was led by the duo of Harry Fearn and Harry Doig, both finishing in the top-ten. Fearn put together rounds of 70 and 71 and his 141 was good for a tie for 4th place. Doig got off to a hot start with a four-under 68 and followed with a 76 for a 144 that earned a tie for 9th.
"With how cold the weather was we played well and posted a solid score in the first round," said IHCC coach John Mulholland. "We played very well in the first round all fall and that's something we will be looking to continue to do going into the spring."
Although things didn't go as planned the second day, Mulholland said it could be a learning experience. "It's always going to be hard when there are so many good teams and we had the target on our backs which is a good spot to be in. But playing as poorly as we did is hugely disappointing for everyone as we had played really well throughout the majority of the fall (the Warriors won three of the six events they entered). But one round isn't the end of the world. We want to be back here in May and if that's the worst round we have, I'd much rather have it now when it isn't as significant. But we know we can't be doing that if we want to contend for a national title."
Mulholland said he was proud of the way the freshman Fearn competed. "Harry was sick the whole tournament and battled both rounds really well. He had a good gallery of NCAA Division I coaches follow him and created a lot of interest with how he played. That's great for him and the program."
Cyril Henault had rounds of 75 and 76 for the Warriors and tied for 42nd with his 151. A stroke behind Henault was Jesse MacNaughtan after a 75 and a 77. Thomas Burou finished at 159.
The IHCC coach said the two Harrys were "as good as they have been all fall."
He concluded by saying, "Bring on the winter break! I can't wait to do it all again in the spring."
NJCAA Preview
Team scores (top 10):
- Ranger 289-275=564; T2. Midland 293-287=580; T2. Odessa 293-287=580; 4. New Mexico JC 292-289=581; 5. Hutchinson 292-290=582; 6. McLennan 297-286=583; 7. Indian Hills 288-300=588; 8. Eastern Arizona 291-299=590; 9. Iowa Western 305-287=592; 10. Western Texas 308-294=602
Indian Hills scores:
T4. Harry Fearn 70-71=141; T9. Harry Doig 68-76=144; T42. Cyril Henault 75-76=151; T44. Jesse MacNaughtan 75-77=152; T61. Thomas Burou 77-82=159