Cougar Men's Golf Captures Eastern Arizona Invite

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's golf team won the Eastern Arizona Invite Mar. 7-8 at Mt. Graham Golf Club in Thatcher, Ariz. The Cougars carded rounds of two-under, 286 and three-over, 291 to defeat second-place Paradise Valley CC by nine strokes. Individually, Cecil Belisle led SMCC with a third-place finish, Ethan Klose placed fifth, and Zachary Erskine and Sean Markham tied for ninth to help lift the Cougars to the tournament title.

Belisle carded a 70 and 72 at the par 72 course, finishing at two-under, 142 to take third. Erskine was two shots behind, posting two rounds of even-par 72, and Erskine and Markham tied at three-over, 147 for ninth with a rival from Estrella Mountain CC. 

Jando Hernandez finished 12th at four-over, 148 with rounds of 72 and 76, and Jake Carlson placed 29th at 14-over, 158 with 76 and 82.

SMCC held an eight-stroke lead in the team competition after the first round and posted the best team score by one stroke in the second round.