| 04.28.09
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Huntington University used a final round 6-over 294 to surpass day one
leader Indiana Wesleyan to win the 2009 Mid-Central College Conference
Golf Championships at Rock Hollow Golf Course by five strokes.
It is the sixth time that the Foresters have captured the title with
the last coming in the 1990-91 season. The win gives the Foresters an automatic bid to the NAIA Men's Golf
National Championship held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. May 19-22.
It marks the first time that HU has qualified as a team for the event.
"Our goal from the beginning of the season was to get to the NAIA
National tournament," said an ecstatic Coach Mark Green who was
named the MCC Coach of the Year for the second straight year.
"I'm just excited for these guys that they accomplished what they
set out to do."
The Foresters had their work cut out for
them after posting a 317 on the first 18 on Monday morning.
Heading into the afternoon round, HU was tied for fourth and 12
strokes off the lead. The Foresters regrouped and shot the low round
of the second 18 with a 302. Ryan Bonner and Jordan Dawes both shot
a 75 to lead HU. With one final round left to play on Tuesday,
the Foresters trailed Indiana Wesleyan by five strokes.
Through the
first 13 holes, HU wasn't able to make up much ground,
but finished the final five with a flourish to upend the defending
champion Wildcats by five strokes. The Foresters again turned
in the low score of the round with an impressive 294, 10 strokes
better than their closest competitors.
"Our guys really played well to come back from a five stroke deficit
today," said Coach Green. "Our seniors really stepped up and put
together some incredible scores. The seniors were a combined one
under par for the day. Shooting a 317 was not a great way to
start the tournament but the guys showed a lot of poise and mental
toughness to come back and get the win."
Senior Spencer Batt put
together three solid rounds of 75, 76 and 72 to finish third in the
individual scoring with a 223. Freshman Jordan Dawes finished
with a 231 (77, 75, 79). Senior Justin Imel was one stroke
back with a 232 (80, 79, 73). Senior Ryan Bonner recovered
from an opening round 88 with a 75 and a 70 to finish with 233 and
sophomore Cory Powell had a 244 (85, 76, 83). Four Foresters,
Batt, Bonner, Dawes and Imel, finished in the Top 10 in the
individual scoring to join their coach in receiving MCC
All-Conference honors.
For more information on
the NAIA Golf National Tournament, see
NAIA Tournament Information. |
