CARSON, Wash. – With birdies on nine of the 36 holes he played, Devon Caruso was able to grab the individual lead and help the Lewis-Clark State College Men’s Golf team to two solids rounds during play at the Multnomah Invitational, being played at the Elk Ridge Golf Course.
Caruso, a senior, shot a 2-under-par 70 during Monday’s opening round and then followed it up with a career-low 68 during the afternoon round for a 138 total. His round also helped LC State, ranked No. 15 in the NAIA, stand second as a team and only three shots behind the University of British Columbia, ranked eighth. The final 18 holes will be played Tuesday.
On the women’s side, defending national champion UBC leads at 284, while LC State is second at 314.
“The course was easier but the pins were tough again,” LC State coach Zach Anderson said.
The Warrior men had team scores of 284 and 285, both under par. The 284 is the top team score of the season, beating the previous best mark by nine shots.
Along with Caruso’s solid rounds, Sondre Andresen shot 71 and 70 for a 141, while Jorgen Lie Viken was at 73-71 for 144. Andresen is tied for third overall, while Viken is tied for seventh. Carlos Davila had a 70 in the opening round and a 76 for a 146 total, which leaves him in 11th.
“Devon played some great golf,” Anderson said. “Jorgen again was solid. Sondre was very consistent. Everyone contributed and that’s all I can ask for as a coach.”
On the women’s side, Kyla Currie and Alexandra Schmidt both shot 77s to lead the Warriors. That left them tied for ninth in the individual standings. Deana Caruso added a 79.
“The women struggled a bit out of the gate but grinded coming in,” Anderson said. “They battled and I’m proud of them. Our highest score in the top five was 82 so everyone was playing OK, just not great. They continue to see improvements every round. “
This is the second of three regular-season Cascade Conference tournaments played in the fall and spring.
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MEN
Team scores – 1, British Columbia 280-286-566. 2, Lewis-Clark State 284-285-569. 3, Multnomah 297-293-590. 4, Walla Walla 298-294-592. 5, Oregon Tech 301-296-597. 6, College of Idaho 301-297-598. 7, Bushnell 298-301-599. 8, Southern Oregon 313-295-608. 9, Corban 304-309-613.
Individual leader – Devon Caruso 70-68-138.
LC State –3, tie, Sondre Andresen 71-70-141, 7, tie, Jorgen Lie Viken 73-71-144, 11 Carlos Davila 70-76–146, 26, tie, Elias Theodossopoulos, 75-76-151.
Other LC scores – Jacob Waller 79-79-158.
WOMEN
Team scores – 1, British Columbia 284. 2, Lewis-Clark State 314. 3. Oregon Tech 321. 4, Walla Walla 357.
Individual leader – Sonya Tang, UBC 69
LC State – 9, tie, Kyla Currie and Alexandra Schmidt 77. 11, Deana Caruso 79. 12, Dallis Shockey 81. 13, tie, Kylee Hughes 82.
Other LC scores – Reece Garey 86, Mackenzie Miller 89.
