Huskers Finish Fifth, Owen Finishes Third at Prairie Club Invitational

Valentine, Neb. --- Senior Tanner Owen tied the low individual score of the final round on Monday, firing a three under par 70 to complete a three-round total of 217 (-2) and record a career-best third-place finish at the Prairie Club Invitational in Valentine, Neb.
 
As a team, the Huskers climbed the leaderboard one spot on Monday and finished tied for fifth with a three-round total of 901 (+25). Missouri won the tournament with a team score of 871 (-5).
 
Owen began the day tied for ninth place at +1.  On a windy and cool day,  he bested the field recording six birdies in the final round to jump six places on the leaderboard and record the best individual finish at a tournament by a NU men's golfer since 2017. Only the Missouri duo of Rory Frannssen (-3) and Ross Steelman (-9) finished ahead of Owen. 
 
"I'm really focusing on my short game," Owen said. "I knew with how big the greens were, I didn't have to be perfect in everything, but I needed to be perfect in my short game. A top-five [finish] is something I've been searching [for] since I've been playing college golf. The quick turnaround this week gives me an opportunity to reinforce the positive things that I can take from this weekend instead of looking at the negatives."  Coach Hankins added, "Tanner knew he was a top contender for this tournament title and he prepared, warmed up, and competed like it. He was dialed-in all weekend and earned a great top 3 finish."

Junior Branden Meyer finished second in the Husker lineup for the second straight tournament, tying for 11th with a three-round score of 224 (+5). Meyer shot a 72 (-1) in the first round before shooting a 77 (+4) in the second round and a 75 (+2) in Monday's third round. "Branden had some great stretches of golf this week. He shot a solid first round at one under and just needs to stick to his pace and game plan no matter if he's under par or going through a tough patch. ". "He's been steady and with a little more mentality he will be posting consistently low scores for us. "
 
Junior Mark Foelbaek recorded a three-round score of 229 (+10) and finished tied for 23rd.
 
Sophomore Caleb Badura and junior Tom Westenberger rounded out the Husker lineup, with Badura finishing tied for 37th with an overall mark of 235 (+16) and Westenberger placing 40th with a three-round 237 (+18).
 
"I believe we were the most prepared team there and the second round just killed us," Head Coach Mark Hankins said. "We made poor decisions on the golf course, and didn't have the proper mentality to finish strong on the 36-hole day and that is unacceptable. We played two good rounds again this week but college golf is about consistency and saving every shot possible as a team and individual. We will keep adjusting the lineup until we find  five players that are committed to these principles. "

The Huskers will be back on the course Sunday at the Maridoe Invitational in Carrolton, Texas, at the Maridoe Golf Club.
  
Prairie Club Invitational
Prairie Club (Valentine, NE)
Dunes Course (Par 73, 8,073 yards)
Sept. 29-30, 2019
 
Final Team Standings
1. Missouri - 294 - 290 - 287 - 871 (-5)
2. Sam Houston State - 293 - 296 - 302 - 891 (+15)
3. South Dakota State - 297 - 289 - 308 - 894 (+18)
4. Northern Illinois - 299 - 299 - 297 - 895 (+19)
T5. Nebraska - 294 - 307 - 300 - 901 (+25)
T5. Central Florida  - 304 - 295 - 302 - 901 (+25)
7. South Alabama - 300 - 304 - 309 - 913 (+37)

Final Individual Results
1. Ross Steelman, Missouri 73 - 65 - 72 - 210 (-9)
2. Rory Frannssen, Missouri 73 - 72 - 71 - 216 (-3)
3. Tanner Owen, Nebraska 71 - 76 - 70 - 217 (-2)

Husker Lineup
3. Tanner Owen 71 - 76 - 70 - 217 (-2) 
T11. Branden Meyer 72 - 77 - 75 - 224 (+5) 
T23. Mark Foelbaek 75 - 78 - 76 - 229 (+10) 
T37. Caleb Badura 76 - 79 - 80 - 235 (+16) 
40. Tom Westenberger 82 - 76 - 79 - 237 (+18)