Field tightens after Round 2 at Frontier/Cal Pac Men's Golf NAIA Qualifier, Rocky still leads

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Rocky Mountain College’s men’s golf team maintained its lead following Round 2 of the Frontier/Cal Pac NAIA Qualifier Tuesday at Papago Golf Club, but the Battlin’ Bears saw their advantage narrowed after strong second rounds by Simpson and Montana Tech. Simpson was the low team in Round 2, shooting 6-over-par 288 to move into second place in the team standings at 591 strokes. Rocky Mountain carded a four-man tally of 300 and still sits atop the leaderboard at 578. Third-place Montana Tech shot (296-298—594) remains in the race for the team title as well. Carroll (633), Providence Christian (669), California Maritime (672), Soka (674), and MSU-Northern (748) round out the field. Rocky’s Kristjan Burkelca holds a three-shot lead in the individual standings after shooting an even-par 72 Tuesday, tied for the lowest score of the day. The sophomore is 4-under (68-72—140) for the tournament. Tech’s Carson Hupka (70-73—143) and Simpson’s Trey Alwert (70-73—143) are three shots back in second, and a trio of Rocky golfers — Jared Smith, Aidan McDonagh, and Jake Johnson — are tied for fourth at 146 shots apiece. In order to receive an automatic berth to the NAIA national championship, the Frontier and Cal Pac conferences cooperated to meet the minimum number of six participating teams. Second-round results, third-round pairings, and live results for the duration of the tournament are available through Golf Genius. The qualifier will proceed with its second round Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. PDT in a shotgun start.