By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men’s Golf wrapped up its 2021-22 season by finishing eighth at the MIAA Championship, held at the WinterStone Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday (Apr. 18-19). The course played as a par-72 at 6,752 yards long. Jackson Rader and Dustin Nichols each finished among the top 25.
Rader had the top Tiger finish overall at 13-over par (229) for the three-round tournament. In 36 holes of competition on day one, Rader shot rounds of 80 and 75. He continued his trend of improvement in the final round with a 74. He carded three birdies in both the second and third rounds and avoided any scores higher than a bogey over the final 36 holes, which he played just 5-over par. Rader tied for 22nd individually.
Nichols was just one stroke behind Rader, also turning in his best performance in the final round. Nichols opened with rounds of 76 and 79 on Monday before turning in a 75 on Tuesday. He was a par machine in the final round with 14 in 18 holes, while notching one birdie. He had two birdies during his opening round 76. Nichols finished in a tie for 24th (+14, 230).
Parker Krob tied Rader for the lowest round among Tigers during the tournament with a 74 in the second round. That followed an opening round 79. Krob had one birdie in each of his first two rounds. He finished with an 84 on Tuesday and tied for 35th (+21, 237). Bryce Cowan finished in 37th (+22, 238) just a stroke behind Krob with rounds of 82, 75, and 81. Tanner Copeland finished in 41st alone (+27, 243) with rounds of 77, 86, and 80.
Matt Hoemann of Central Missouri took home medalist honors at the tournament at 3-under par overall. He was the only golfer in the field to finish under par for the tournament after starting the final round at even. His 3-under 69 in the final round was the best round for any golfer in the tournament. Rogers State took home the team title handily at 11-over par. Central Missouri was 16 strokes back in second, while Missouri Southern was 18 strokes back in third.
Fort Hays State remained eighth in the standings from the end of the first round all the way through to the completion of the tournament, finishing at +61 (925). The Tigers were 45 strokes better than Lincoln and 46 better than Newman.