Rice University
Jim West Invitational
Rice Finishes Third at Jim West Intercollegiate
4/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 13, 2010
Jim West Intercollegiate Final Results 
VICTORIA - Rice University's Michael Whitehead led the Owls with a fifth-place finish while Michael Buttacavoli shot a final-round 71 to climb into a tie for ninth on the last day of the Jim West Intercollegiate held at the Victoria Country Club.
Rice shot a 290 to distance itself from host Texas State and post a third-place team finish, carding a three-round score of 881. The Owls and Bobcats began the day tied for third.
Texas-Arlington, which had a 20-stroke lead after 36 holes finished with an 851 to win the tournament by 18 strokes over second place Sam Houston State.
"Overall I am happy we had three solid rounds," said Rice coach Drew Scott. "We had three golfers finish in the Top 20 and two in the Top 10. Chris Brown played real steady the last two rounds. And I was happy with the play of Brock Wilson who was competing in just his fourth collegiate event. He shot a 73 today which was great and we took his score all three rounds."
Whitehead followed up back-to-back 71s with a 74 Tuesday to finish with an even-par 216. Buttacavoli's 71 on Tuesday gave him a three-round score of 219. The tournament marked Whitehead's fourth, Top 5 finish while Buttacavoli finished in the Top 10 for the seventh time this season.
Brown had shot an opening-round 80 but rebounded for back-to-back 72s and tie for 18th with a three-round score of 224. Freshman Jade Scott shot a 227 to tie for 25th while Wilson finished in a tie for 30th with a 228.
UTA's Bryce Easton shot a 69 on Tuesday to win the individual title by five strokes with a three-round score of 209 (-7) over teammate Bobby Massa and Sam Houston State's Justin McKay.
The Owls now turn their attention to preparing for the 2010 Conference USA.
"Heading into the conference tournament, we have had some good scores - not great scores - but we are really close to getting back to mid-season form after struggling earlier in the year," Scott said.
The conference championship will be played at Red Tail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla., April 25-27.
Players Mentioned
