Men’s golfers Brian Parkhurst and Alex Kapraun finished in the top 40, as the last day of the NCAA D-III men’s golf championships came to a close Friday in Destin, Fla.

Parkhurst finished with an overall score of 302 for the tournament, tied for 36th. Kapraun finished the tournament with a total score of 299, which tied him for 27th place.

The St. Thomas men’s team finished with a total score of +41 (613), after missing the cut following Wednesday’s second round.

“To go in back-to-back years is quite an achievement for the team,” coach Scott Proshek said after the tournament. “The guys gave it their all; we just fell short.”

Parkhurst started Friday off strong, draining a birdie on the first hole. He also recorded a birdie on the fifth hole, but would double bogey the ninth to finish the front nine at +1. Parkhurst bogied the tenth hole, but answered quickly with a birdie on the 12th and finished Friday’s round +1. At the 2012 national tournament, Parkhurst shot 303 and tied for 40th.

“He finished strong on his last few holes,” Proshek said. “I was very pleased with how he ended his career.”

Kapraun started Friday with bogies on the second and third hole, but parred seven consecutive holes with a birdie on the 11th. At last year’s nationals, Kapraun shot 297 and tied for 14th. Kapraun was happy his team qualified for the tournament in back-to-back years.

“It’s a really big deal for us,” Kapraun said. “Overall, it was a great experience and I hope we’re able to make it back next year.”

O’Brien finishes tied for 10th at women’s golf nationals

Women’s golfer Doyle O’Brien finished tied for 10th place out of a field of 111 golfers Friday at the NCAA D-III women’s golf championships tournament in Destin, Fla.

O’Brien finished the final day of the tournament by shooting +5 and finishing with a score of 77. O’Brien started with a double bogey on the second hole, but recovered and shot a birdie on the third hole. She also birdied on the 15th and bogied holes six, seven, nine, 13, and 18.

O’Brien posted a four-day score of 313, which was +25.

“She played four very consistent days,” coach Sara Evens said. “Her goal was to place in the top ten and she did that, finishing tied for tenth.”

O’Brien could not be reached for a comment.

Last year at nationals, O’Brien, a transfer student, competed for St. Mary’s (Ind.) and finished tied for 6th place. She shot a total score of 307 and her score on the third day of the tournament was the best in the field of competitors.

“She realizes she’s a leader,” Evens said. “I know she would really like to see the team make it to the tournament.”

Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.