SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Army West Point Golf team cruised to the Commander-in-Chief's Cup Championship on Tuesday, Oct. 15 with a 14-under performance during the two rounds of play.
The Black Knights had an impressive final round, shooting 13-under as team to retain the cup after winning it back in 2022. Army finished under par on both days after firing a 1-under on Monday.
Team captain John Heckel Jr. won the individual championship, shooting 13-under during the two rounds, including a 5-under 67 on day two. It is Heckel Jr.'s second tournament championship this season after winning the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate last month.Tournament Notes• The Commander-in-Chief's Cup was awarded for the second time after the competition started among Air Force, Army and Navy.• The event was supposed to take place at Seminole Golf Club in Florida, but was moved to Scottsdale National after the impact from Hurricane Milton.• Army saw Heckel Jr. and Lake Kim finish under par for the tournament, while Navy had two players in the red as well.• Kim was Army's best golfer on Tuesday, shooting a 6-under 66 to end up 4-under for the tournament to finish third.• Heckel Jr. carded 10 birdies and three eagles in the two rounds and eagled the par-5 second hole twice.• Kim recorded six birdies and an eagle in the second round and had a 6-under stretch mid-round that catapulted him up the leaderboard.• Dragon Theam and Josh Kim duplicated their first round with an even par 72 to finish even for the tournament.• Theam and Kim ended up with five birdies in their final round.