WVU Golf Has Tough First Outing of 2020 at Colonial Collegiate Invitational

The West Virginia University golf team opened its 2020 season by competing at day one of the Colonial Collegiate Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas Monday.

After the first day, the Mountaineers sit tied for ninth-place among the all-Big 12 field at +33. The team standings after Monday are:

• Oklahoma (-3)
• Texas (+1)
• Kansas (+10)
• Texas Tech (+13)
• Kansas State (+13)
• Baylor (+14)
• TCU (+17)
• Oklahoma State (+26)
• West Virginia (+33)
• Iowa State (+33)

WVU’s best performer on the 70-par course was junior Mark Goetz, who ended the day tied for 31st at +7 with rounds of 72 and 75. Sophomore Kurtis Grant (76 and 72) and freshman Jackson Davenport (72 and 76) tied for 34th at +8.

WVU head coach Sean Covich said it was a tough showing for the Mountaineers.

“The course played very difficult today, but that’s what you can expect at the highest level in college golf,” Covich said. “We have to do a better job limiting our mistakes when we get out of position.”

Covich was forced to play a lot of young golfers, in part, due to the season-ending injury sustained by senior Etienne Papineau last week.

Aside from Davenport, freshmen Olivier Menard (44th, +11) and Will Stakel (59th, +22) also played Monday.

We started three true freshmen today so they certainly got to experience what it takes to compete in the Big 12,” Covich said. “I look forward to seeing them continue to develop their games.”

WVU’s final golfer was junior Logan Perkins who finished between Menard and Stakel, tied for 47th at +12.

WVU will complete the Colonial Collegiate Invitational tomorrow and then remain in Texas and compete in the Big 12 Fall Series outside of Houston, Texas on Friday and Saturday.