BUCKEYE, Ariz. -- Vanguard golf ventured to Arizona for the start of spring break to take part in the OUAZ Showdown at Sundance Golf Club Monday and Tuesday.  Wind, rain, hail, and darkness all factored in the two-day event, with the women's second round cut short due to the elements.  The VU men finished seventh out of the eight teams with a final tally of 639 strokes (316-323), while the women finished third out of four squads competing, ending with 501 shots for the tournament.
 
The Course:  Sundance Golf Club was designed by Greg Nash and tops out at 6,944 yards.  Running through a housing community, the bunkers and the confined spacing are the two biggest dangers on the course.  The sixth hole is the highlight for many, as a lake forces golfers to clear 175 yards of water to stick it on the green.  The course is set at par 72.
 
What Happened?  The Rams of Texas Wesleyan won the men's title with 588 strokes (292-296), but OUAZ's Kolby Shackelford was the top individual winner with a two-day total of 141 (73-68).   The Lions were led by Charles Gulbe, who went 76-78 for a final score of 154 to place 21st.  Charles Thurston had scores of 77-80 to place 27th with a 157 for the event.  Rex Robinette ended 31st for the Blue and Gold, netting rounds of 80-81 for a total of 161 strokes.  Matthew Wilkes was 38th at the end of the tournament, as he posted scores of 83-84 for a 167.  Chris Dineros placed 42nd for the Lions with a 197, putting up rounds of 100-97.
 
The Eagles of Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) won the women's team title with a score of 455 (299-156).  ERAU's Hailey Stevenson tied with OUAZ's Taylor Wilczek with 113 strokes to top the individual leaderboard during the shortened event.  Brooklyn Motske led the women of Vanguard, ending tied for sixth place with a 120 (80-40).  Zoee Lynch was tied for 12th when the event was called, as she had scores of 80-45 written down to net 125 strokes.  Annabell Le put up a 128 (89-39) to end in 16th when the tournament was halted, with Shanaya Neru one stroke back in 17th (82-47).  Shyla Tigilau was in 19th when darkness fell, with rounds of 88-51 putting her in a tie for 19th at 139 shots.
 
What was Said?  "We battled through some adversity with some unexpected circumstances.  I'm proud of the fight both team's showed and I hope to see continued improvement as we head toward the GSAC Tournament," said Head Coach Jeff Anderson.
 
What's Next?  The men will return to Arizona at the end of the week for the ERAU Spring Invite March 24-25, while the women will fly to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Classic April 8-9.