ST. GEORGE, Utah – The SUU men's golf team put together an amazing comeback on day two of the Pizza Hut Pat Hick's Invitational to secure a second place finish. SUU's top-4 guys all shot under par today to combine for a -12 on the day. Nic Booth and Sammy Cole led the way with sixth and eighth place individual finishes, followed by Tim Leonard at no. 17.

“The guys came out today with a lot more focus and played within themselves a lot better,” head coach Richard Church said, “ They were very aggressive but also a lot smarter play then yesterday.”  

After shooting an even par 72 on day one of the Invitational, Booth came out and shot a 67 on day two to lead the Thunderbirds at -5. “Today was a lot better, I got the putter rolling, made a few putts and chipped in a couple times,” Booth stated, “The first day I struggled, I was all over the golf course, I'd make a birdie and then a bogey.”

Cole was the consistent Thunderbird for the tournament, shooting a 69 on day one and 71 on day two. He finished tied for eighth place overall at -4.

Leonard had the biggest turnaround day for SUU. After shooting a 77 on day one he came out and posted a 67 on day two, finishing at even par for the tournament. “I was really pleased with the way Tim bounced back,” Coach Church said, “sometimes he gets a little bit down on himself and loses some focus and today he had an intensity he has not had this week.”

SUU finished up second, just behind the College of Charleston, with a score of 569. Kenny You of Dixie State took home the individual trophy, followed by Grahm Schmaltz from Utah State and Brayden Erickson from Utah Valley.