Westmont Golf got more than it bargained in its second competition of the season in Firestorm Fall Invitational at the 72-par Moon Valley Country Club.

“Yesterday it was torrential downpour and thunder and lightning like you wouldn’t believe,” said Westmont head coach Tom Knecht. “In the afternoon, they called us into the clubhouse, sent us back out on the course and then called us back in. We had to go out this morning and finish the second round for the men before playing the third round.”

Better conditions on Tuesday allowed the men’s to complete all three scheduled rounds of competition.

“I thought we played an amazing tournament as a team,” offered Knecht. “It couldn’t have been a more difficult situation, but the players rose to the occasion and played better in the rain than they had all year.”

The men’s team finished fifth out of seven teams, with a combined score of 917 (53 over par). Westmont was just two strokes behind Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) for fourth place. Ottawa (Ariz.) won the event with a 17-under-par 847 with South Mountain C.C. finished second with 854 strokes (10 under par). Arizona Christian claimed third a score of 881 (17 over par). 

Finishing behind the Warriors were Benedictine (Ariz.) at 925 points (61 over par) and Park (Ariz.) at 958 (94 over par).

Lorne Fishborn turned in the lowest three-round score for the Warriors, posting a three-over score of 219 to tie for 11th place out of 48 competitors. Fishborn’s scores of 74, 72 and 73 displayed a consistency despite changing weather conditions. He finished 12 strokes behind the medalists, Noah Hofman of Ottawa and Jonathan Walters of South Mountain.

Tom Ridd notched a score of 228 (12 over) to tie for 21st place, recording scores of 79, 74 and 75.

Three freshmen filled out Westmont’s roster, making their collegiate golfing debut. Matt Keeney posted an 82 in the first round before turning in scores of 75 and 76 for a total of 233 (17 over). Matt Shuler and Trevor White both shot in the 80s in the first round before scoring 75 and 78 respectively in the final 18-holes to end with identical scores of 240 (24 over).

Westmont also saw improvement in its women’s squad who placed third out of four teams. Westmont shot a 679 (103 over) in the two rounds. Ottawa won the event with a score of 619 (43 over) with Arizona Christian placing second with 654 (78 over). Park finished fourth with 708 points (132 over).

“Kat Bevell played great as usual,” said Knecht. “She had two eagles yesterday. It was a bit of a struggle today, but I was pleased with the way she hung in there and continued to compete. She is such a good team leader and an amazing player.”

Bevell shot a five-over-par 77 on Monday, which included eagles on the eighth and 13th holes. Her score of 85 on the second day gave her a two-day total of 162 and a seventh-place finish out of 24 golfers.

Finishing in eighth place was Rory Derr who shot rounds of 84 and 81 to total 165 (21 over). Suzie Taylor posted rounds of 85 and 86 to claim 13th place with a score of 171 (27 over).

Westmont’s fourth finisher was Mia Jimenez who shot 93 and 88 for a total of 181 (37 over) and a 16th place finish.

“I was super pleased with Mia who had her best round ever – her first time breaking 90,” said Knecht. “I couldn’t have been more pleased with the team.”

Drew Thompson tied for 20th place with a two day total of 193 (49 over).

The Warriors will return to competition on October 14 and 15 when they participate in the William Jessup Fall Invitational at Whitney Oaks Country Club.