Markham Captures Individual Medalist, SMCC Men's Golf Wins Estrella Mountain Invite

PHOENIX ---

Sophomore Sean Markham won individual medalist honors, and the South Mountain Community College men's golf team claimed the Estrella Mountain Invite on April 9-10 at Tres Rios Golf Course in Goodyear, Ariz. Markham carded a five-under, 66 in the second round to move up eight spots on the leaderboard and record his first tournament victory. The Cougars won the team competition by 22 strokes for their fifth spring win. 

Markham edged teammates Cecil Belisle and Zachary Erskine to claim the individual honors. After finishing at even-par in the first round, Markham posted a tournament-best 66 to win the event at five-under, 137. Belisle was second at four-under, 138 with two rounds of 69, and Erskine finished third at three-under, 139 with scores of 70 and 69. 

Jake Carlson was the fourth SMCC student-athlete to post a top-10 finish and tied for eighth at one-over, 143. He had rounds of 71 and 72 during the event. Ethan Klose tied for 11th at three-over, 145 with 68 and 77, and Jando Hernandez tied for 17th at six-over, 148 with rounds of 72 and 76. 

SMCC opened with a six-under 278 and then posted an eight-under 276 in the second round to finish at 14-under 554. They defeated second-place Mesa CC by 22 strokes and were the only team under par.