Ross Wins as Trojans Roll to Victory
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore Noah Ross collected his first collegiate victory on Saturday to lead the Taylor men's golf team to a dominant victory in the Pilot Invitational.
Ross posted the lowest round of the day during the second round of action on the 7,041-yard, par-72 layout of Blackthorn Golf Club. The sophomore from Upland, Indiana carded two birdies, two bogeys, and an eagle on the par-5 7th hole en route to a final round of 70.
The sophomore entered Saturday's final round in third place, two shots behind the overnight leader, after opening with a 72 in round one. On Saturday Ross bounced back from a bogey on the par-4 5th hole with a birdie on the par-4 6th and an eagle on the par-5 7th to move into the lead.
He and round one leader Nicolas Paviet from Roosevelt University battled back and forth down the stretch before Ross pulled ahead by a stroke with three holes remaining and maintained the lead to the end. The victory was the first of Ross's career and he joined Taylor teammates Javan Johnson and Adam Kasitz as individual winners this season.
The Trojans displayed dominance during the final round as Taylor's 7-shot overnight lead ballooned to a 30-shot victory. Taylor posted its lowest score of the season, a 2-under par 286 to finish with a two-round total of 582 (+6) en route to the victory.
In addition to a 70 from Ross the Trojans counted a pair of 71's from redshirt junior Javan Johnson and sophomore Drew Pickering while freshman Adam Kasitz posted a 74 and sophomore Erik Fahlen carded an 80.
Taylor claimed four of the five spots on the all-tournament with Pickering finishing in third place at 145 (74-71), followed by Kasitz in fourth place at 146 (73-74) and Johnson in fifth place at 148 (77-71). Fahlen finished tied for 30th at 163 (83-80).
The Trojans led the field in birdies (25) and pars (110) while playing the par-5's in 2-under par for the tournament collectively.
TU returns to action on Monday as the Trojans head to Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana for the Sagamore Shootout. Live scoring for the event will be available on Golf Genius.