Rice University
10th Rice Intercollegiate presented by Srixon
Owls Capture Rice Intercollegiate Title
2/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 16, 2010
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Rice Intercollegiate Final Results 
Rice senior golfer Christopher Brown birdied four holes on the back nine of Westwood Golf Club Tuesday and shot the only tournament round in the 60s en route to individual medalist honors as the Owls won the 10th Annual Rice Intercollegiate presented by Srixon.
Rice had the low score for all three rounds of the tournament, distancing itself from second-place Auburn with a four-over par 292 team score on Tuesday. The Owls shot a three-round score of 886 to win the tournament by 19 strokes. Auburn was second with a 905 while 2009 champion Pacific shot a 909 to finish third.
The Owls had never won the Rice Intercollegiate, finishing the 2009 tournament as the runner-up, four strokes back of Pacific.
Battling afternoon wind chills in the 30s on Monday, the Owls jumped out to a three stroke lead through the first round and began Tuesday's final round eight strokes ahead of Auburn and 18 in front of Pacific.
"Obviously, we are thrilled to win on our home golf course," said Rice coach Drew Scott. "The guys played so hard when conditions were challenging. They wanted to play to the best of their abilities, see where things fell and that's what they did today."
With a 69 on Tuesday, Brown shot an even-par 216 for the tournament. The individual title was his first career intercollegiate victory. Last year he began the spring season as the runner-up at the Rice Intercollegiate.
"After last year's finish, I think Chris had something to prove," Scott said. "As a senior, he was playing at home this week for the final time as well as playing in front of family and friends. For him to have a tournament victory is fantastic."
Scott said the weather conditions at Westwood played in Brown's favor. The course played better than six strokes over par for the tournament.
"Chris is a grinder. His success in college has come when conditions are challenging," Scott said. "Chris loves to play well when he shouldn't. He will outfight you and this week did a good job of just playing his own game."
Brown started Tuesday's round in a three-way tie for first with teammate Michael Whitehead and Auburn's Will McCurdy. A birdie on the fifth hole put him out in front. He led the tournament with 14 birdies.
Whitehead shot a 73 on Tuesday to finish second at the tournament with a 220 (+4). Whitehead's par 72 on Monday morning was the only even par round during the first day of the tournament.
McCurdy finished in a tie for third with Kansas' Nate Barbee and Nebraska's Brandon Crick. Barbee shot a 71 on Tuesday to finish with a three-round score of 223 while Crick carded a 70 on Tuesday for his 223.
Rice senior Michael Buttacavoli finished in a tie for sixth at the tournament with a three-round score of 224. Freshman Jade Scott shot a 228 to tie for 13th. Tim Pawul was the leading finisher among five Rice golfers playing as individuals. Pawul carded a 75 on Tuesday to shoot a three-round score of 228 to tie for 13th.
With a victory, Rice begins the spring season just like it did the fall campaign when the Owls won the UTA/Waterchase Classic and went on to post four, Top 5 finishes.
"We had a great fall," Scott said. "There is always the worry there may be a let down. We have been working very hard this semester. We still have a long way to go but two wins after six tournaments is awesome."
Rice returns to tournament play next week when the Owls travel to the J.L. Lewis Intercollegiate hosted by Texas State. The tournament will be played at The Bandit golf course in New Braunfels.
Players Mentioned
