A tough course at Royal Links Golf Club got the better of the field, and the Hillsdale College men's golf team in particular, in this weekend's Las Vegas Desert Classic.
No team shot par or better for all three rounds in the Desert Classic, including champion Central Missouri, and Hillsdale was no exception, shooting an 885 for the weekend to finish tied for eighth in the 14-team field.
Hillsdale had its best round of the event on Sunday afternoon, shooting a three-under par 285. Josh Davenport carded a three-under 69 that was the Chargers' best individual round of the event, and freshman Will Verduzco was close behind with a two-under 70.
The other two rounds, however, didn't match that high-water mark. Hillsdale opened with a 292 and then closed with a 308 on Monday in a round where no team shot even par or better and players struggled across the board.
Senior George Roberts led the way with a consistent performance, shooting a 73-74-71 to finish as one of the few players under par in the third round and tie for 16th overall with a score of 218.
Verduzco tied for 22nd on the back of two strong opening rounds, shooting a 72-70-77-219, and senior Ryan Zetwick finished tied for 40th with a 72-72-81-225.
Davenport finished 50th with a score of 227 to round out Hillsdale's scoring golfers, and Gerry Jones Jr. shot a 233 to finish 67th as well.
After playing in events in Florida and Nevada, Hillsdale next returns to the Midwest to play in the SVSU Spring Invite at Kearney Hills Golf Course in Lexington, Kentucky, beginning on March 20. The event will feature several regional teams and will be a critical contest that could significantly improve the Chargers' standing in the race to qualify for the NCAA Regional Championship at the end of the season.