Golfers go streaking in Missouri

corey garriott

Washburn continued its streak of dominance with a three-stroke win against Central Missouri last week at the Heart of America Classic.

The win was Washburn’s eighth-straight in MIAA tournaments, dating back to last season. John Robbins won the individual title with a 2-under-par 140, three shots better than Missouri Southern’s David Eddy in second place.

“I felt I did pretty well,” said Robbins of his first career win. “My short game was good and the course we played was short and there were a lot of birdie holes out there.”

Robbins is the fourth Ichabod to win a tournament this season and the team hopes to use that as momentum today and Tuesday when they compete in the Missouri Western Invitational, another MIAA tournament.

“We’ve got to win again,” said Matt Lazzo, who was tied for second at the Heart of America Classic with a 1-over-par 143. “The streak is on the line, conference points are on the line.”

Going into last weekend’s tournament the Ichabods expected to win, and they did. However, the margin was only three shots. Robbins said that’s something that has to change.

“It’s getting to the point in the season where we need to start putting these tournaments away,” said Robbins.

Even so, Robbins said only winning by three gave the Ichabods a chance to see how they would handle pressure prior to competing in the conference and regional tournaments. It turns out the Ichabods handle pressure well as they perch easily atop the conference standings with 24 points, 4.5 ahead of second-place Central Missouri.

Washburn has won four of the last five MIAA championships and four of the last five MIAA championship tournaments. Also, the Ichabods set a school record for number of tournaments won in a season last year with eight.

“This team has pretty close to the best talent Washburn has ever had,” said Matt Ewald, who shot a 4-over-par 146 last week. “I think we’re stronger than we were last year.”

The Ichabods have won four out of their eight tournaments this season, haven’t lost an MIAA tournament since 2006 and are just finding their groove in the spring season. Winning the Missouri Western Invitational almost seems like a sure bet.

“It’s another tournament,” said Ewald. “It will be a similar course to Central Missouri and we’re going in looking to win.”