EL PASO, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler men's golf team used solid final rounds from Carson Whitton, Jackson Powers and Jackson Naeger to finish the RJGA South Central Shootout in eighth place.
 
UT Tyler finished their fall semester of competition with a 294 in Tuesday's final round to post a 609 (315-294) total for the shortened event at Butterfield Trail Golf Club. The Patriots claimed a head-to-head win over four Lone Star Conference foes including nationally-ranked no. 35 St. Mary's and no. 41 Texas A&M International.
 
Whitton, Powers and Naeger all carded rounds of 73 or better on Tuesday after yesterday's difficult scoring conditions in round one. Whitton led the Patriots with a final round of one-under par 71, carding five birdies and a front nine score of 33 to finish his impressive first semester at UT Tyler on a high note.
 
Colorado Mesa blitzed the field on Tuesday with an eight-under par round of 280 and jumped up seven spots on the team leaderboard to claim the team title with a 596 (316-280) two-round total. Westminster's Alec Williams claimed the individual honors in the event with a three-under par total of 141 (73-68) for the two days.
 
Whitton led UT Tyler with a tie for 10^th place finish with a 147 (76-71) on the individual leaderboard following his 71 on Tuesday. Powers also secured a quality individual finish with a final round 73 to finish in a tie for 13^th place with a 148 (75-73) total.
 
Naeger provided a great response to his struggles in the opening round, rebounding to card a 72 on Tuesday to move up into a tie for 36^th place with a 156 (84-72). Juniors Seth Campbell and Carter Lewis both shot final rounds of 78 on Tuesday morning to round out the scoring for UT Tyler.
 
Campbell finished in a tie for 47^th place with a 158 (80-78) and Lewis in a tie for 62^nd place with a 162 (84-78).
 
UT Tyler will now have a few months off before getting started with the championship spring semester in February.