LAWRENCE — It was the last sport to get the fall season underway at Barton Community College.
But the men’s golf team made the wait worth it with a runner-up effort at the Ottawa Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Course.
The Cougars just missed out on the top spot as Baker University won the event by two strokes over Barton.
Cougar freshman Natchapol Srinoon tied for first in individual competition with a two-day total of 3-over par 147.
“It was good to finally get the boys on the course and in a meet,” Barton head coach Doug Kaiser said.
Barton ended the invitational with a 316-321 — 637 total, while Baker shot 322-313 — 635 for the win.
Srinoon, meanwhile, fired a closing-round best 1-under par 71 to rally after posting the fourth-best score on opening to tie Kyle Fecteau of Baker for the top individual score. Srinoon was awarded the first-place medal on a scorecard tiebreaker.
Srinoon, a native of Thialand, ended with a 76-71 — 147.
“Putter (Srinoon) had a really good day the second day,” Kaiser said. “He was the only player to shoot under par Tuesday. The first day he charged the putts too much and had three double bogeys. The second day was able to lag to make the putt.”
After its 316 on the opening day, Barton found itself one off the pace set by Kansas Wesleyan and tied with host Ottawa.
Eventual champ Baker was seven shots off the pace. But the Wildcats bested all three teams ahead of them by at least eight strokes to earn the win.
Also placing in the Top 10 for the Cougars’ was sophomore Landon Fox, who shot a 77-78 — 155 for an 11-over par total and a tie for seventh.
Another Barton golfer finished tied for 10th as Ellinwood-native freshman Jared Oelke shot a 78-79 — 157. But Oelke competed as an individual and not on the Barton team.
Each team designates five golfers to compete on the team and the top four post the team score.
“We have several golfers that could make the top five to compete with the team so we have qualifying and Jared just missed out this time,” Kaiser said. “If we could have counted his score we probably would have won the meet.”
Stockton sophomore Koby Beougher was 24th with a 78-84 — 161 and Great Bend freshman Chance Haney rounded out the team scoring with an 85-88 — 173.
Blake Huxman was the Cougars’ fifth team member, shooting an 85-92 — 177.
The Cougars will have three more events to close out the fall season — all in October.
Barton will travel to Carey Park Golf Course in Hutchinson Oct. 6-7 to compete in the Sterling College Invitational.