The Barton Community College men's golf team led all three rounds of the Central Kansas Classic in closing with a 12-stroke title margin at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson.
Barton began the two-day eight-team Classic with a tournament and season best 286 to open up an 9-stroke advantage after Monday's morning round before wind conditions affecting afternoon play helped the Cougars drop a stroke off the margin following a 298. The determined Cougars returned to the course for Tuesday morning's final round, getting back on track firing a 287 in gaining four strokes on the field finishing at 31-over 871, twelve strokes better than Hastings College.
Pontus Nordstrom gave the Cougars its second consecutive tournament champion, finishing even-par after the three rounds at 210 for a five stroke victory over Carlos Hamou's 5-over 215. Leading the 49-player field with 15 birdies, Nordstrom was 4-under on the par-5 holes in carding rounds of 70 and 71 before closing the Classic with a 1-under 69.
Hamou, who competed as an individual and not in the Barton team scoring, fired back from an opening 74 score to card 70 and 71 rounds to edge out Ethan Bonnett's 6-over 216 after stringing 71-74-71 rounds.
Finishing in a tie for first in Barton's Iowa season opener, Peeranat Suporn recorded a Classic second best 11 birdies in moving into the 6th spot behind 71-78-71 rounds for a 10-over 220.
Inside the top ten following Monday's 74 and 75 scores, Tom Gehring slipped just outside to 11th when the dust settled following a 77 final round, compiling a 16-over 226.
Tom Lehmann rounded out the team scoring members in a tie for 23rd, with 74 and 76 rounds on either side of an 85 for a 25-over 235.
Joining Hamou as an individual entry, Marshall Woolf carded a 78 and 81 to conclude Monday's pair of rounds for the 24th position but slipped to 32nd after Tuesday's 86 scorecard.
The Cougars will have a couple of weeks before returning to competition September 26-27 in hosting the Barton Invitational held at Rolling Meadows Golf Course in Junction City.
Central Kansas Classic results: Team Individuals