Mines Golfers 2nd in NDNU Argonaut Invite

Colorado School of Mines snags 2nd in NDNU Argonaut Invitational

By Ryan Adams-CAG College Golf Correspondent – [email protected]

Looking to continue their sensational play so far this season, the Orediggers of the Colorado School of Mines notched out a 2nd place finish out in California in the Notre Dame de Namur Argonaut Invitational.

Led by the stellar consistency of freshman Jordan Arndt, the Oredigger golf team put together a string of solid rounds and separated themselves from the pack with a total team score of 893 (+29) and ten shots behind the red-hot Chico State out of California.

“Overall, I was pretty happy with how we played,” said Tyler Kimble, head coach of the Orediggers. “I am never happy unless we win, but finishing behind a team that has been ranked #1 (Chico State) makes it a little better,” he furthered.

So far, the Orediggers have a great season with the lack of golf they got to play before tournament play started. In each of their past seven events, the team has finished in the top three and has had an individual champion in four of those events as well.

At the Argonaut Invitational, Arndt finished runner-up and was tied for the individual lead, but ended up losing in a playoff to Kyle Souza of Chico State. Jim Knous, a senior and number one ranked golfer in the state, finished in the top ten again shooting an even par 72 and receiving 9th overall.

Sophomore Michael Lee finished 11th overall with lower scores in every round; sophomore Kyle Grassel ended up in 29th place and senior Cory Bacon rounded out the Orediggers with a 32nd place finish.

Although the team has played fairly well with the lack of practice they got, Kimble believes with a little buckling down over the next month, the team can continue their great play.

“As you know, the month of February was bad for golf and we were only able to get one round in before tournaments started,” said Kimble. “I think if we can get some good practice in and sharpen up the short game we could make a deep run,” he went on to say.

The next tournament for the ‘Diggers will be at the Bear Creek Intercollegiate Match Play at Bear Creek Golf Club in Denver. The team will then follow that with a home event on April 3rd and 4th at the Bob Writz Invitational at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Lakewood. The ‘Diggers are having a great season so look for more wins and top finishes from them in the coming weeks