NIC men win Columbia Basin invite

| April 6, 2021 1:00 AM

RICHLAND, Wash. - Two North Idaho College golfers tied for medalist honors as the Cardinal men won the four-team Columbia Basin Spring Invitational which concluded Monday in Richland, Wash.

James Swan and Jared Smith each shot a two-day, 1-under-par 143 to tie Community Colleges of Spokane's Zach Martin for medalist honors, but NIC's team score of 592 was nine strokes better than the Sasquatch.

Austin Mitchell (fifth, 151) and Tyler Vassar (eighth, 155) also posted top-10 finishes for the Cardinals at Horn Rapids Golf Course.

In women's play, Community Colleges of Spokane earned team and medalist honors, with Courtney Jackson firing an 11-over-par 155.

NIC finished third as a team, led by Emily Elliott's sixth-place total of 170. Elliott's second-round score of 80 was the fourth best of the day, behind three 76s from Spokane and Southwest Oregon golfers.

Sydnie Robins shot 175 to tie for 10th place for the Cardinals, who return to action April 18-19 at the Community Colleges of Spokane Spring Invitational at MeadowWood Golf Course in Liberty Lake.

Men's results

Horn Rapids Golf Course, Richland, Wash., 6,990 yards, par 72

Team results: 1. North Idaho College 295-297-592; 2. Spokane 303-298-601; 3. Southwest Oregon 305-314-619; 4. Columbia Basin 332-323-655.

Medalists: Zach Martin, Spokane, 74-69-143, James Swan, NIC, 70-73-143, Jared Smith, NIC, 74-69-143.

North Idaho College (592): T1. James Swan 70-73-143, T1. Jared Smith 74-69-143, 5. Austin Mitchell 77-74-151, 8. Tyler Vassar 74-81-155, T16. Garrett Bland 82-81-163, 22. Tommy Beason 82-89-171.

Women's results

Horn Rapids Golf Course, Richland, Wash., 5,783 yards, par 72

Team Results: 1. Spokane 239-235-474; 2. Southwest Oregon 252-257-509; 3. North Idaho College 255-261-516; 4. Columbia Basin 270-260-530.

Medalist: Courtney Jackson, Spokane, 79-76-155.

North Idaho College (516): 6. Emily Elliott 90-80-170, T10. Sydnie Robins 85-90-175, 12. Megan Light 83-94-177, 13. Kaylee Halstead 87-91-178, 15. Caitlin O'Connor 89-93-182, 19. Mandy Rusho 103-112-215.