WOODRING WINS THE FORT WORTH CITY CHAMPIONSHIP |
FORT WORTH, TX: Texas Wesleyan University’s Will Woodring shot the low round of the day in each round to win the Fort Worth City Championship this weekend. Several Texas Wesleyan golfers have won the event in past years; however, in a field that included student-athletes from SMU and TCU, Woodring shot a combined 127 to become the first Ram to win the tournament since Robby Koch in 1992. For the first time, the tournament was divided into collegiate and championship flights. Woodring’s 127 (61, 66) won the collegiate flight, but was also six strokes better than John Bearrie, who won the championship flight with an overall card of 133.
Woodring, a senior from Burleson, TX, beat out a power packed field to take the title. A trio of SMU Mustangs were on his heels. Colt Knost (132), James Minahan (134), and Brandon Destesano (134) finished second and tied for third while TCU’s Franklin Corpening rounded out the top five.
Texas Wesleyan was well represented at the tournament as Lance Vasquez (T6, 137), Justin Smith (8th, 138), Mitch Hendon (T11, 141), Keedae Lee (T15, 142), and Kevin Doskocil (T15, 142) each finished in the top-15 and Bronson Kalilikane (T19, 143) and Ryan Stephens (T19, 143) finished in the top-20.
Woodring shot the low round of the tournament in round one. He posted nine birdies including a birdie on the par-5 18th on his way to a round of 61, which just edged SMU’s Destesano who shot 62 on the day. On Sunday, Woodring turned in seven birdies including three of his last four holes to again post the low score of the day at 66. Still Woodring stayed cool, refraining from any celebration until the final round was called due to rain.
Texas Wesleyan head coach Kevin Millikan said he was proud of Woodring’s maturity. “He was very even keel through each round. He did not get ahead of himself after that first round and stayed calm after the second round as well. I’m very proud of him. This was a prestigious win in a great field.” Texas Wesleyan is one of the most storied programs in NAIA golf. In 52 years of membership, the Rams have made more appearances in the national tournament, 45, had more individual national champions, nine, and, along with Huntington, has won more titles, six, than any other institution. In 45 national tournament appearances, they have finished outside of the top-10 on only two occasions. |
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