ABILENE - Abilene Christian rallied from a six-stroke deficit Tuesday afternoon to pull out a three-stroke team victory at the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate golf tournament.
The Wildcats - who last won their own tournament in 2002 - were tied for third with Texas A&M-Commerce starting Tuesday's play, but it was their consistency over the par-71, 6,977-yard Diamondback Golf Club that eventually wore down the rest of the field. ACU shot a final-round 280 to finish at 566, while St. Edward's finished at 569 after firing rounds of 284 and 285.
First-day leader Cameron - which won the team title at last year's tournament - faded from first to third after following its opening-round 280 with a final-around 297 to finish at 577, three strokes ahead of fourth-place Midwestern State (580). Texas A&M-Commerce finished fifth at 583.
"I was awfully proud of the way our guys played these first two days," ACU head coach Mike Campbell said. "Our guys were very consistent both days from tee to green, and I think that wore the other teams down. The conditions were tougher (Tuesday) with the wind blowing a little bit more and tougher pin placements, but our guys met the challenge and came away with a big win."
The Wildcats were led by junior
Curtis Harris, who fired rounds of 69 on Monday and 68 on Tuesday to finish at 137 and win the individual medalist title. Harris was especially tough on the back nine Tuesday when he shot 33 to finish out his round of 68.
After carding a 35 on the front he immediately bogeyed No. 11 before bouncing back with a birdie on No. 12 to get back on track. He was off the green on the par-3 14th hole, but his long putt found the cup for a birdie and he was on his way to victory. He birdied No. 16 and then parred in to finish at 137 and win the medalist title by two strokes over Kent Neal of West Texas A&M, who finished at 139 after shooting rounds of 68 and 71.
"Curtis played so well both days," Campbell said. "He worked so hard over the summer, and I'm really pleased that the hard work paid off for him the last two days. He played two very solid rounds."
As did his teammates, a group that Campbell believes might be ready to push the Wildcats back to the top of the Lone Star Conference by season's end.
"This was a great way for us to start our season," Campbell said. "For us to come out on our home course and play the way we did makes me really excited about what this team can accomplish this year."
