Rice claims first C-USA golf title

By Charles Cochrum

Rice University men’s golf turned in its best Conference USA (C-USA) Championship performance in nine seasons in the league to win the 2014 tournament. The Owls carded a 293-282-286 — 861 (+21) in the three-day tournament to top No. 18 University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) by one stroke. Rice finished each of the first two rounds in fourth place before powering to the finish Tuesday at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond, Okla.

Junior Tommy Economou and freshman Kevin Reilly earned places on the all-tournament team for finishing in third and fourth place, respectively.

Economou provided a steady presence throughout the event with a stellar 70-71-71 — 212 (+2), which was good for third. He carded 11 birdies over three rounds, including four Tuesday.

In his first C-USA Championship, Reilly paced the Owls in the early going and finished one stroke back of his teammate in a tie for fourth place at 70-69-74 — 213 (+3). The Oviedo, Fla., native began the event in memorable fashion, carding eagles on two of his opening three holes Sunday. He racked up four of his eight birdies in the final round.

The lone senior among the Owls, Landon Michelson, finished strong for Rice, posting a 75-75-72 — 222 (+12) to claim 30th. He knocked in four birdies in each of his first two rounds and finished with 10 at the event.

James Lee took home 32nd place with a 78-70-75 — 223 (+13). The sophomore sank three of his six birdies on Monday’s second round.

Freshman Alex Levy co-led the team with 11 birdies at the event to tie Lee in 32nd place. The Austin native shot a season-best 69 in the final round to finish with an 82-72-69 — 223 (+13). The 11 birdies were the fifth highest in the 70-player field.

Tulsa’s Matt Mabrey edged teammate Logan McCracken for the individual title at 209 (-1). Louisiana Tech’s Victor Lange rounded out the all-tournament team.

Behind UAB, Tulsa took third place at 866 (+26), two strokes ahead of Charlotte in fourth place.

Rice previously won three conference team titles. All came in the Southwest Conference — in 1929, ’30 and ’39. The team’s previous top finish in C-USA came in 2010, when Christopher Brown won the individual medal and the Owls tied for second place.