GOLF: No. 1 Chaps to host tough field at Ranchland Hills
The No. 1-ranked Midland College men’s golf team is getting ready to host one of the toughest junior college fields of the year at Ranchland Hills Golf Club.
By Oscar LeRoy
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Midland College Golf
TankLogix Intercollegiate Golf Tournament
Ranchland Hills Golf Club, Midland, TX
March 15-16, 2022
MIDLAND, TEXAS - The No. 1-ranked Midland College men's golf team is getting ready to host one of the toughest junior college fields of the year at Ranchland Hills Golf Club.
Six of the top 10 and nine out of the top 20 junior college golf teams will play in the TankLogix Invitational over two days with 36 holes being played on Tuesday and 18 holes on Wednesday.
In addition to the consensus top-ranked Chaparrals, No. 3 Hutchinson Community College, No. 4 Odessa College, No. 5 McLennan Community College, No. 7 Indian Hills Community College, No. 8 New Mexico Junior College, No. 9 Western Texas College, No. 15 Ranger College, No. 17 Weatherford College are the teams ranked by Golfstat that will participating. New Mexico Military Institute and four-year NAIA program University of the Southwest will also be among the men's field.
"It's the third best field in the country this year outside the national championship and the National Preview," MC coach Walt Williams said. "It will be quite a test. With nine of the top 20 teams, there are a lot of folks that could win."
There will also be a women's division consisting of four teams – Western Texas College, Ranger College, University of the Southwest and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
The Chaparrals certainly expect to contend for the title and defend their home course.
MC has won two of the three tournaments it has played in this spring with the only exception being an eighth-place finish at the Colin Montgomerie HBU Husky Invitational last week where the Chaps competed against NCAA Division I programs. The Chaps had a solid showing in the 16-team field without their best player Gregor Graham, who's been battling an Achilles strain for the last month.
"We beat seven D-1 teams without our No. 1 player," Williams said. "I think we're playing pretty well and we had the second low round down in Houston. If Gregor comes back strong that will help. He hasn't played golf in four weeks, so there's no telling what to expect out of him."
Williams said Graham, a freshman from Scotland, was back practicing on Monday. He's been limited to putting and chipping in recent weeks while he's been resting and getting treatment.
"It will be interesting to see how he does," said Williams of Graham. "He's going to be practicing and taking full swings on the driving range. If he feels well, he wants to go ahead and play. He's feeling better every day. He's so good that I'm going to play him if he can play. Even if he's not the best he's one of the best."
The first team is expected to be rounded out by sophomore Samual McKenzie, sophomore JT Pittman, sophomore Angel Guerra, sophomore Adam Coull and sophomore Aston Castillo. Graham is the No. 5 ranked individual in the NJCAA by Golfstat, followed by McKenzie at No. 6 and Pittman at No. 7.
"The rest of the team has been playing really well and working hard," Williams said. "Whether we can win, I don't know, but I know we'll be in the hunt. If we play well, we should do well."
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