Alva Review-Courier -

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. –The Northwestern Oklahoma State men' s golf team opened up their 2017-18 season in fine fashion, firing rounds of 297-289 to open up the Great American Conference Preview at Lake Hefner Golf Club's North Course.The Rangers bested their two-day total from last season's conference preview tournament by 16 strokes and finished a total of 10-over par as a team for the day. The Rangers find themselves in ninth place following the completion of two rounds, with Southeastern Oklahoma State holding the overnight lead with a two round total of 551 (271-280).The Ranger's opening round of the season started off in sluggish fashion, but picked up as the Rangers settled into the flow of their rounds. FreshmanTyler Berryhillimpressed in his Ranger debut, firing an even-par round of 72 in the first round, followed up with a round of 74 to lead the squad with a two-round total of 146, placing him in a tie for 36thplace. Fellow freshmanBen Snelgrovetook some time to get acclimated to the college golf atmosphere, but followed up a morning round of 77 with a two-under par round of 70 to finish in a tie with Tulsa, Okla. nativeParker Rehornat 147 in 38thplace.Rehorn displayed solid ball striking throughout the afternoon, but struggled with capitalizing on birdie opportunities and fired quality rounds of 74-73. SeniorCole Wardrebounded after a poor finish on the closing three holes of his opening round that led to a round of 76 with an even-par round of 72 in the second round, placing him in a tie for 43rdplace at 148.Pawnee, Okla. nativeCody Hixoncarded rounds of 75-74 to finish in 47thplace with a two-day total of 149.Head coachAaron Fordalso entered three other Ranger golfers into the tournament as individual competitors that posted solid scores that show the depth the new Ranger golf squad now possesses. Junior college transferColten Personfired rounds of 74-73 in his debut in the Black-and-Red, including a second round that included an impressive rebound after a disappointing triple bogey that was followed up immediately by an eagle and a birdie to salvage his second round score of 73.Person's total of 147 places him in a tie for 38thplace, three strokes ahead of freshmanKeiton Hoster, who shot rounds of 75-75 in his first collegiate event to tie for 48thplace at 150.SeniorClayton Davisonrounded out the Rangers squad with a solid turn around in his second round with a score 75 after recording an 80 in his first round to finish at 155 in 54thplace.The Rangers will hit the links beginning at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning to complete their first tournament of the season.