While most Missouri Southern students were packing their bags and heading off on their own spring break adventures, the men’s golf team grabbed its clubs and swim trunks and headed west to Monterey Bay, Calif.

Six of the Lions were able to compete in the California State University-Monterey Bay Otter Golf Invitational held on March 17-18.

“Three out of four of the teams that we played are ranked in the top 10 in the nation,” said sophomore Andy Koehler.

The men placed fifth of seventh of the NCAA Division II teams who were at the tournament. The Lions finished seven strokes short of fourth place with a third round total of 958.

Senior Kyle Long earned seventh place in the tournament, finishing five strokes short of the lead.

“It’s hard to explain how good the teams are that we competed against,” Koehler said. “And Kyle placed seventh.”

The trip to California proved to be beneficial to the entire team even though not all the players were able to attend.

“When we went to California, we were placed 50th in the nation,” Koehler said. “Now we are ranked 36th.”

Freshman Kellen Bolinger played as an individual during the tournament. He said six tickets were purchased for the players, and only five men were going, so he went and played on his own. His game scores did not count toward the team’s final scores.

The course the tournament took place on is considered to be extremely difficult and holds one of the highest course ratings in the nation. The Lions were also playing against 40-mph winds off the West Coast.

During their time in Monterey Bay, the men were able to take a trip to a Pebble Beach course. Pebble Beach hosts Pro Golf International tournaments and is well known for its beautiful courses and resorts.

“Going to Pebble Beach was a lot of fun,” Bolinger said. “It was great getting to see all the golf courses out there.”

The men are now preparing for a home conference on Monday and Tuesday at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. The Missouri Southern Crossroads of America Invitational will begin the spring season and will include every team in Southern’s MIAA conference. The MIAA conference teams include Emporia State University, Washburn University, Southwest Baptist University, Central Missouri State University, University of Missouri-Rolla, Missouri Western State College, Northwest Missouri State University, Pittsburg State University, and Truman State University.

“It’s our first conference meet of the spring, and right now we are second in the conference,” Koehler said. “We are looking at this as a way to bump us up to first in the conference.”