OKLAHOMA CITY, 8 Sept 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Matthew Cheung pocketed his first collegiate victory to lead the OCU Stars. Defending national champion Oklahoma City, top-ranked in NAIA men's golf, produced a 277-272-273–822.
The number one-ranked Stars picked up the win by 10 strokes over third-ranked Texas Wesleyan. Fourth-place Oklahoma Wesleyan entered the season ranked 17th, while 19th-ranked The Master's (Calif.) finished 11th on the par-71, 6,576-yard course.
OCU erased a two-shot deficit to junior-college power Odessa (Texas) after 36 holes. The Stars finished three shots shy of the tournament-record team score set by Bellevue (Neb.) in 2012. Kyle Blaser notched career tournament victory No. 101 in his 21st year as OCU coach.
Cheung held off Adam Blomme of Odessa by one stroke. Blomme finished second place after winning the tournament last year. Cheung turned in a 68-65-65–198. Cheung, a senior from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, nailed 14 birdies and three eagles during the tournament. Cheung finished runner-up in the NAIA Championships as OCU win the national crown in May.
"It's good to finally get over the hump and get my first collegiate win," Cheung said. "I am looking forward to a great year with a great bunch of guys."
OCU's Rupert Kaminski grabbed fifth place with his 71-66-69–206. Kaminski, a sophomore from Johannesburg, South Africa, sank 11 birdies Tuesday and Wednesday.
David Meyers chipped in a 71-68-69–208 for the Stars to tie for seventh place. Meyers, a freshman from Johannesburg, South Africa, buried 14 birdies over the 54 holes. Garrison Mendoza tied for 11th with his 68-73-70–211. Mendoza, a junior from Clinton, Okla., knocked in 12 birdies.
Peri'Don Castille, a freshman from Dallas, carded a 70-75-73–218 while making par 34 times for the Stars. Playing unattached, Blake Murray turned in a 73-71-69–213, good for a tie for 16th. Murray, a freshman from Mooreland, Okla., tied for the team lead with Kaminski and Niccolo Nespoli with 37 pars.
The Stars tee it up next in The Mid-South at Sand Creek Station Golf Club in Newton, Kansas.