Men's Golf Opens Season with Ninth-Place Finish at NSU Men's Classic
TULSA, Okla. — The East Central University men's golf team opened the 2026-27 season with a solid showing at the NSU Men's Classic, competing Monday and Tuesday at Paige Belcher Golf Course.
The Tigers finished tied for ninth in the team standings, carding a three-round total of 22-over par.
ECU got off to a strong start in the opening round, posting its best team score of the tournament with a 3-over-par (287). The Tigers followed with a 6-over (290) in the second round before closing the tournament with a 13-over (297) in the final round.
Despite facing a challenging field in its season opener, the Tigers remained competitive throughout the two-day tournament and gained valuable experience heading into the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign.
Leading the way for the Tigers was
Pablo Illescas, who turned in a career-best performance and earned a spot on the NSU Men's Classic All-Tournament Team. Illescas finished tied for fourth individually at 3-under-par 213, carding rounds of 68, 70 and 72.
Illescas opened the tournament with an impressive 3-under 68, highlighted by a bogey-free front nine, before following with a 1-under 70 in the second round. He closed with an even-par 72 to finish three strokes under par for the tournament.
Newcomer
Bryson Parker made an immediate impact in his ECU debut, finishing tied for 16th at 2-over-par 215. Parker opened with a 2-under 69, helping pace the Tigers to their best team score of the tournament, and followed with rounds of 74 and 72.
Gabriel Jones finished tied for 28th at 5-over-par 218. After opening with a 2-over 73, Jones settled into an even-par 71 in the second round before closing with a 3-over 74 in the final round.
Jackson Jones finished 73rd at 20-over-par 233, recording rounds of 77, 75 and 81 over the three rounds.
Rounding out the Tigers' lineup was
Aidan Morrison, who finished 76th at 32-over-par 245. Morrison posted an 11-over 82 in the opening round and a 13-over 84 in the second before improving to an 8-over 79 in the final round.
