Final Results

HORSESHOE BAY, Texas – The 18^th-ranked St. Edward's men's golf team trailed by two strokes after the first round, but rallied for two solid rounds to take home the 2014 Heartland Conference Championship Tuesday afternoon at Summit Rock Golf Club. After having half of the second round delayed from Monday, the Hilltoppers stood firm on the final day and defeated the field by 10 strokes.
 
St. Edward's (293-286-293=872) outplayed Dallas Baptist (291-302-289=882), who finished second and Newman (297-302-293=882) down the stretch for its third win in the past four events. This was the first time the Hilltoppers have won the conference crown since the 2009-10 season.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this group," head coach Todd Ohlmeyer said. "This lineup has now won three of its last four starts, which certainly gives them confidence as we get ready for the NCAA Regional Tournament."
 
ENRIQUE LIVAS (72-69-73=214) led the Hilltoppers as he shot two-under par for the tournament and ended regulation in a three-way tie for the title. He, along with Chris Contreras of St. Mary's and Garrett Fey of Dallas Baptist headed to hole 18 for a playoff. Both Fey and Livas made par on the par-5, while Contreras dropped out with a bogey. On the second playoff hole, Fey bested Livas with a par for the individual crown.
 
Livas was a birdie-making machine, as he led the tourney with 15 of them in the three rounds.
 
"Enrique played such a solid tournament," Ohlmeyer said. "Who would have thought that after making bogeys on the first two holes of the tourney he would have a chance to be the individual champion. It was great to watch him play so well this week. He has put together an impressive string of events this semester."
 
BRIAN SMITH (74-74-71=219) was one of two golfers who shot under-par in the final round, as he rallied for a fifth place finish. DILLON VAN ESSEN (71-74-76=221) rode 12 birdies to a tie for sixth place, while JOSE HERNANDEZ (76-72-75=223) and ANDRES RODAS (78-71-74=223) both tied for eighth place.
 
"As I said to the guys after the round, this might be a smaller event than the other ones we play in, but outside of the NCAA Tournament, this is the event most people will ask you about," Ohlmeyer said. "Winning a conference tournament is a hard thing to do in the Heartland. Of the last six champions in the conference, we are the only program to have won twice. That speaks to the depth of this conference."
 
St. Edward's will be back in action May 5-7 when they host the NCAA South Central/West Super Regional. The 54-hole, three-day event will take place at Grey Rock Golf Club in South Austin. Live stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.