SMCC Wins CGCC Coyote Classic, Erskine Ties for First

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's golf team won the CGCC Coyote Classic on Jan. 30-31 at Las Colinas Golf Course in Queen Creek, Ariz. The Cougars posted a team score of 23-under, 545, to defeat Glendale CC and Pima CC by 10 strokes. Individually, sophomore Zachary Erskine tied for first place at the event at eight-under, 134, with Glendale CC's Warner Beach as both players carded scores of six-under, 65 in the second round. 

Erskine opened the tournament with a two-under 69 on the par-71 course. The first-place finish was Erskine's best result in spring competition as a member of SMCC, outdoing a third-place finish at the Estrella Mountain Invite at -3 (139) and a tie for third at Chandler-Gilbert Invite at -1 (141) in 2022. 

Sophomore Ethan Klose placed fourth at seven-under, 135, with scores of 68 and 67, and freshman Ryan Blair was fifth at four-under, 138, with rounds of 67 and 71. Sophomore Damon Vilkauskas finished sixth at three-under, 139 with rounds of 69 and 70 to give SMCC four Top-10 finishers. 

Freshman Brady Clark moved up seven spots on the leaderboard to tie for 15th after a second-round 70 to finish at one-over, 143. He opened the tournament with a two-over 73. Freshman Zach Mumman was 36th at 10-over, 152 with scores of 75 and 77. 

In the team competition, SMCC opened with an 11-under 273 to lead Glendale CC by two strokes and Pima CC by three. The Cougars then posted a 12-under 272 in the second round to win their first tournament of the spring.