SMCC Men's Golf, Vilkauskas Capture Eastern Arizona Invite Titles

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's golf team won the Eastern Arizona Invite at -9 (567) Mount Graham Golf Course on April 3-4 in Thatcher, Ariz. Individually, sophomore Damon Vilkauskas won his second-straight individual medalist honors by finishing first at -6 (138) to edge teammate sophomore Ethan Klose. 

The Cougars won as a team by 14 strokes over second-place Pima CC and carded rounds of 280 and 287 on the par-72 course. The win was the team's fifth this spring.

Vilkauskas opened with a tournament-best 65 to hold a six-stroke lead after 18 holes. In the second round, he posted a 73 to finish at -6 (138) and defeated Klose by two strokes. For his part, Klose posted a four-shot improvement in his second round, going from a 72 to a 68 to finish at -4 (140).  

Freshman Cole Finch placed sixth at E (144) with rounds of 71 and 73, while fellow freshman Ryan Blair tied for seventh at +1 (145) with rounds of 72 and 73. 

Sophomore Zachary Erskine tied for ninth at +3 (147) with scores of 73 and 74, and freshman Bryan Beyer tied for 14th at +6 (150) with rounds of 73 and 77.