Jake Carlson Claims Individual Medalist at First 2021 Fall Tournament

PHOENIX ---

Sophomore Jake Carlson won the Gaucho Fall Shootout at GCU Golf Course Sept. 8-9 with a three-under, 139, and the SMCC men's golf team took home the team trophy with a six-under, 284 as the Cougars opened their 2021 fall campaign. Carlson carded a one-under 70 in his first round and then stormed to the individual medalist honors with a two-under 69 in the second. SMCC won the team title by 13 strokes over Mesa CC.

Freshman Zachary Erskine tied for second with two other competitors and finished at two-under, 140. He carded a two-under, 69 in the second round. Miles Gray and Cecil Belisle tied for fifth at one-under 141. In the opening round, Gray opened with a tournament-best three-under, 68, while Belisle carded a one-under, 70. 

Sophomore Damon Vilkauskas finished at even-par with two rounds of 71, while Ryan Vickers (69, 74) and Jando Hernandez (70, 73) finished at one-over 143. 

Anthony Carr (69, 75) and Sean Markham (72, 72) finished one shot behind Vickers and Hernandez at two-over, 144, and Carter Rowe (73, 72) finished at four-over, 145. 

As a team, the Cougars jumped out to a 13-stroke lead after posting a five-under, 279 in the first round. SMCC then finished at one-under, 283 in the second round. Interim head coach Chelsea Carroll, who also heads the SMCC women's golf program, earned her first team tournament victory and individual medalist as a head coach.