The Eastern Michigan University men’s golf team finished 11th out of 14 teams at the Crooked Stick Intercollegiate, hosted by Indiana University Oct. 14-15.
Sophomore Stuart Grehan came into the match as Mid-American Conference men’s golfer of the week and led EMU shooting 229 (76-74-79) and tying for 29th overall. Round one opened with five bogeys and a birdie. Grehan’s best performance came in round two, overcoming a bogey and double bogey on back-to-back holes to finish two over. Round three was rocky for Grehan, shooting seven over, with eight bogeys, a double bogey and three birdies.
Junior Michael Blair shot a 230 (82-72-76) and tied for 37th overall. He shot 10 over in the opening round, with four double bogeys, three bogeys, and a birdie. Round two was much better for Blair, stroking four birdies to go along with four bogeys, good for a 72. The final round saw Blair shoot four over.
Sophomore Brett White finished tied for 56th, shooting 235 (75-79-81). Starting round one off rough with two bogeys and a double bogey, White would rebound shooting three birdies and a bogey to finish three over for his best round. Rounds two and three saw White card a 79 and 81, respectively.
Freshman Kyle Rodes finished tied for 60th with a 237 (77-80-80). Rodes eagled on the 15th hole in round one to shoot a 77 and finished rounds two and three with a score of 80.
Senior Brian Churchill-Smith rounded out the Eagles golfers to finish 65th scoring 239 (83-80-76).
Round three started off with a double bogey, then two more bogeys before Churchill-Smith stroked a couple of birdies and two more bogeys to finish the round four over.
This marked the first time all season EMU did not have a player finish in the top-20.
The University of Arkansas claimed the top spot by the end of the tournament, behind the strong play of top finisher senior Sebastian Cappelen 212 (70-71-71).
Purdue University finished second with two of the top three scorers; senior Adam Schenk who finished 2nd overall 215 (74-73-68), and freshman Austin Eoff, who finished third 217 (71-74-72).
After a strong day one showing, the University of Georgia held the lead, but shot 296 in the final round to claim third overall.
Looking Ahead:
The men’s golf team has concluded fall play, and is scheduled for M.A.C. Match Play, Feb.10-11, 2014, in Dade City, Fla. to open up spring play.