Kansas State University Athletics
Monday, February 10
Mobile, Ala.
Kansas State University
vs
Hal Williams Collegiate
Wildcats Finish Third at Hal Williams Collegiate
Feb 11, 2025 | Men's Golf
MOBILE, Ala. – The Kansas State men's golf team made a valiant effort to take over the top of the leaderboard during Tuesday's final round but was unable to keep its mid-round momentum going, as the Wildcats finished in third place at the Hal Williams Collegiate at the par-71, 7,059-yard RTJ Magnolia Grove Golf Club.
K-State finished with a 54-hole score of 20-under par 832, four shots behind second-place Kent State and five shots back of No 15 SMU. The Wildcats, who turned in a round of 9-under par 275 on Tuesday and got to within one stroke of first place down the stretch, tallied their third top-three finish of the season and second in as many events dating back to the fall finale.
"All in all, it was a pretty good week for us. I thought there were times when we looked really good and hit a lot of high-quality shots," said head coach Grant Robbins, whose team led the field with 60 birdies over the three rounds, including 24 on Tuesday with 18 of those coming on Nos. 6 through 13. "We knew going into today that if we could put four solid rounds together, we could have a chance. We got ourselves in a great position with four holes left, but we were unable to close like we needed to. It's a good learning experience. We have shown the ability to play some very good golf. Even though the finish was disappointing, it is something we will get better from. We are looking forward to getting out to California for The Prestige next week."
K-State, which tied for the ninth-best 54-hole score in school history and turned in its best three-round total since April 2023, had a pair of top-10 finishers in seniors Nicklaus Mason and Cooper Schultz.
Mason, a native of Shawnee, Kansas, registered a final-round total of 4-under par 67 to rise four spots to a tie for sixth place at 8-under par 205. It was his third top-10 finish this season and ninth of his collegiate career, while his final tally of 205 tied for the 16th-lowest 54-hole score in school history.
A product of Andover, Kansas, Schultz tied for ninth place at 7-under par 206 after going even par in the final round. It was his third top-10 finish this season and 10th of his collegiate career. His three-round total of 206 was a season best and his third best as a Wildcat.
Another senior, Kobe Valociek, rose 18 spots during the final round to tie for 18th place at 4-under par 209. The Virginia Tech transfer carded a 4-under par 67 over the final 18 holes, which was a season low and tied for the fourth-lowest round of his collegiate career.
Mason, Schultz and Valociek each tied for third in the 75-man field with 15 birdies. Additionally, Schultz tied for third by going a collective 5-under par on the par 5s.
Freshman Fionn Dobbin also made a rise on the leaderboard during the final round thanks to a score of 1-under par 70. He moved up eight spots to a tie for 28th place at 1-under par 212, which was the best 54-hole score of his young collegiate career.
Playing as an individual, freshman Tyler Strong improved nine spots during the final round to a tie for 61st place at 6-over par 219 thanks to a round 1-under par 70 on Tuesday. It tied for his lowest round as a collegiate golfer, equaling the mark he put together during the second round of the Shocker Invitational in October.
Senior Ian McCrary finished in a tie for 66th place at 7-over par 220.
In addition to winning the team title, SMU also had the individual winner in Zachary Kingsland, who recorded a three-shot victory at 14-under par 199.
The Wildcats travel west next week as they compete in The Prestige, Monday through Wednesday, at the par-71, 7,185-yard Greg Norman Course at PGA WEST in La Quinta, Calif.
K-State finished with a 54-hole score of 20-under par 832, four shots behind second-place Kent State and five shots back of No 15 SMU. The Wildcats, who turned in a round of 9-under par 275 on Tuesday and got to within one stroke of first place down the stretch, tallied their third top-three finish of the season and second in as many events dating back to the fall finale.
"All in all, it was a pretty good week for us. I thought there were times when we looked really good and hit a lot of high-quality shots," said head coach Grant Robbins, whose team led the field with 60 birdies over the three rounds, including 24 on Tuesday with 18 of those coming on Nos. 6 through 13. "We knew going into today that if we could put four solid rounds together, we could have a chance. We got ourselves in a great position with four holes left, but we were unable to close like we needed to. It's a good learning experience. We have shown the ability to play some very good golf. Even though the finish was disappointing, it is something we will get better from. We are looking forward to getting out to California for The Prestige next week."
K-State, which tied for the ninth-best 54-hole score in school history and turned in its best three-round total since April 2023, had a pair of top-10 finishers in seniors Nicklaus Mason and Cooper Schultz.
Mason, a native of Shawnee, Kansas, registered a final-round total of 4-under par 67 to rise four spots to a tie for sixth place at 8-under par 205. It was his third top-10 finish this season and ninth of his collegiate career, while his final tally of 205 tied for the 16th-lowest 54-hole score in school history.
A product of Andover, Kansas, Schultz tied for ninth place at 7-under par 206 after going even par in the final round. It was his third top-10 finish this season and 10th of his collegiate career. His three-round total of 206 was a season best and his third best as a Wildcat.
Another senior, Kobe Valociek, rose 18 spots during the final round to tie for 18th place at 4-under par 209. The Virginia Tech transfer carded a 4-under par 67 over the final 18 holes, which was a season low and tied for the fourth-lowest round of his collegiate career.
Mason, Schultz and Valociek each tied for third in the 75-man field with 15 birdies. Additionally, Schultz tied for third by going a collective 5-under par on the par 5s.
Freshman Fionn Dobbin also made a rise on the leaderboard during the final round thanks to a score of 1-under par 70. He moved up eight spots to a tie for 28th place at 1-under par 212, which was the best 54-hole score of his young collegiate career.
Playing as an individual, freshman Tyler Strong improved nine spots during the final round to a tie for 61st place at 6-over par 219 thanks to a round 1-under par 70 on Tuesday. It tied for his lowest round as a collegiate golfer, equaling the mark he put together during the second round of the Shocker Invitational in October.
Senior Ian McCrary finished in a tie for 66th place at 7-over par 220.
In addition to winning the team title, SMU also had the individual winner in Zachary Kingsland, who recorded a three-shot victory at 14-under par 199.
The Wildcats travel west next week as they compete in The Prestige, Monday through Wednesday, at the par-71, 7,185-yard Greg Norman Course at PGA WEST in La Quinta, Calif.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Men's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Men's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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