Freshman golfer Robby Shaw and senior golfer Adam Cox tied for 29th place at the Branson Creek Invitational on April 8, leading Western to an eighth place finish.

The Hilltopper golf team had a total of 914 strokes to tie with Northern Illinois and host team Southwest Missouri State for eighth on the 14-team tournament.

Sam Houston State won the invitational by firing a 292 in the third round to finish with a total of 887, two strokes better than runner up Southern Illinois.

Senior Jared Topmiller had 231 strokes to tie for 35th place, while senior John Mullendore had 232.

The Hilltoppers will travel to Niceville, Fla., to play in the Sun Belt Conference championships on April 21-23. Following the championships, Western will close out its spring season at Penn State’s Rutherford Intercollegiate on April 25-26.

– Amber North