The Washburn golf team loves playing in the Midwest. Another week, another individual and team win. This time it was at the NSU Men’s Golf Classic in Salpulpa, Okla. at the Clary Fields Golf Club.

The Ichabods were lead by junior Matt Salome who won the tournament by five strokes after shooting a 9-under-par 133. His score of 64 in the second round was the best round in the tournament and the best individual score for a Washburn player this year.

“This was probably one of my best wins in my golfing career,” said Salome. “I mean I won a few tournaments at the community college level, but being new at Washburn, this is at a different level of competition.”

The veteran Washburn squad also received a good showing from others including a third place finish from sophomore Matt Lazzo who shot a 3-under-par 139. Junior Matt Ewald and senior Ryan Deutsch both shot a 3-over-par 145, tying for 15th. Senior Sam Wempe made his season debut with a 11- over- par 153.

“It’s nice to have depth because we play [golf] as a team sport, and you need four out of your five scores during every round to be solid,” said Deutsch.

Overall, the Ichabod golf team won the tournament with a score of 6-under-par 562. Going into the second day three shots off of the lead, the team shot a 8-under-par 276 and led the field after the second round by 11 strokes. That ended up being the tally that the Washburn golfers won by after the third day was cancelled because of rain.

“Everyone on the team really wanted to play the third day,” said Salome. “Yeah, we were winning after two rounds but we had confidence that we would be able to play well for another day.”

Although the course was new to all of the Washburn golfers, it had no bearing on stopping them from their third straight NSU Men’s Golf Classic tournament win.

“We were able to have success because we made a lot of birdies and stayed away from big numbers for the most part,” said Deutsch. “Everything was mainly all out in front of you. If you could drive it well out there, you could score well.”

The team is back in action today at the Drury Invitational in Springfield, Mo. to take part in its fourth tournament in as many weeks.

“We’re going to go out there and try to play good golf,” said Salome. “I know a couple of us haven’t played at that course, but we’re not going to let it affect us. We’re just going to go and play solid and try to stay away from mistakes that’ll cost us.”