VICTORIA – First-year University of Victoria Vikes men’s golfer Max Murchison came out on top after a four-man playoff after three rounds of the A.I.I. Regional Conference Championship hosted in San Antonio, Texas at The Republic Golf Club. Murchison finished three rounds with a +6 after shooting a 72 in his third round. The Vikes men finished second overall in the team standings three strokes back of conference champions Our Lady of the Lake.
Murchison had impressive scores over the two days including a highlight 69 in his second round, while team mate Josh Miller finished behind the pack of tied first placers to finish fifth overall with a +7 (220) score. Rounding out the team scores was Brandon McManus (+15, 228), Robin Conlan (+21, 234) and Jacob Hayes (+29, 242). Prior to the event Conlan was also named to the A.I.I. Circle of Champions list, a program in support of the NAIA’s Circle of Champions program. Conlan was recognized for his service, leadership, sportsmanship and character.
“The men had a tough go today and were unable to overpass the leaders for the victory,” said Vikes head coach Justin Clews on the final day of play. “We started off pretty solid in the early stages of the round but had a poor finish and gave back a few too many shots to finish our rounds. Winning this event would have guaranteed a berth to Nationals but with the runner-up finish we are now waiting until Thursday to see if we get selected for an at-large berth for nationals.”
Murchison was named the 2019 A.I.I. Men’s Golf Player of the Year and named to the A.I.I. All-Conference team for his championship performance.
“Max, however, was victorious in a four-man playoff for the individual title and automatically punches an individual ticket to NAIA Nationals,” added Clews. “Hopefully the whole team qualified but Max will be playing for sure.”
The NAIA National Championship is hosted on May 21-24 at Las Sendas Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz. Right after that the Vikes will prepare for the Canadian University/College National Championships hosted in conjunction with Golf Canada at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. from May 27-31.
A.I.I. Regional Conference Championship
2nd – Victoria (311-290-299 : 300)
1 – Max Murchison (78-69-72 : 219)
5 – Josh Miller (76-71-73 : 220)
T10 – Brandon McManus (76-75-77 : 228)
T21 – Robin Conlan (81-76-77 : 24)
T27 – Jacob Hayes (86-75-81 : 242)
2019 Association of Independent Institutions Men’s Golf All-Conference
Player of the Year: Max Murchison, University of Victoria
Coach of the Year: Alan E. Baxter, Our Lady of the Lake
A.I.I. All-Conference Team: Zhao Yang Gu, Our Lady of the Lake; Steve Landry, Our Lady of the Lake; Bradley McCaleb, University of St. Thomas; Max Murchison, University of Victoria; and Peter Thorseth, University of St. Thomas
Champions of Character: Mike Lee, Indiana University Northwest; Marcos Devoto, College of the Ozarks; Robin Conlan, University of Victoria; Brandon Thompson, Haskell Indian Nations University; Kade Scott, Crowley’s Ridge College; Jose Acevado, Northern New Mexico College; Steve Landry, Our Lady of the Lake; Jeremie Pasitney, University of the Southwest; Tim Briones, University of St. Thomas; and Adrian Saenz, University of Houston-Victoria
