STARKVILLE – The Northwest men's golf team closed out its fourth event of the spring at the MSU Golf Course on Monday, firing a two-day 603 (308-295) to finish in third place, just 14 strokes behind the winner Mississippi Gulf Coast. | Final Results

As a team, Northwest improved by 13 strokes on the second day, thanks in large part to freshman Jack Byrd who carded a 1-under-par 70 after an opening round 84 on Sunday.

The highlight of the weekend came in Sunday's opening round, with freshman Chad Cupples hitting a hole-in-one on the Par-3 13th hole from 166-yards out.

"I think we're peaking at the right time," volunteer assistant coach Guy Purdy said. "We're hosting the annual Northwest Invitational next week and I think we've got a great chance of winning it. The courses are in great shape and we finally get these teams on our home turf."

Cameron Thomas, the lone sophomore on the squad, fired a two-day 149 (77-72) to finish in a tie for sixth place with Cupples. Sam Cooper tied for 11th with a 152 (73-79), Byrd tied for 14th with a 154 (84-70), Dylan Baskins was T-36th with a 165 and Justin Feathers closed out a two-day 177 to finish in a T-49th.

The Rangers will look to build on their momentum April 2-3, hosting the Northwest Invitational. Round one will be played at North Creek, with round two to follow at Wedgewood.