Michigan
Robert Kepler Intercollegiate
McKay Leads U-M in Shortened Kepler Intercollegiate
4/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second straight tournament, cold weather, winds and rain shortened tournament play from 54 holes to 36 holes for the University of Michigan men's golf team. This weekend it was at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate on the Scarlet Course at OSU, where rain halted played in the final round Sunday (April 15) as the Maize and Blue tied for eighth with a 623 36-hole tournament total.
With play beginning on Saturday, the field was able to get the first 18 of a scheduled 36 holes with no problems. The Wolverines tallied a 313 first round tally, putting them in a tie for 11th. As the second round began, the rainy weather started to roll in -- the rain was steady as it fell on the field. With the rain picking up after nine holes, play was halted with too much standing water collecting on the greens and fairways.
Following a coaches meeting, play was resumed Sunday morning and -- with more inclement weather on the horizon -- officials reduced the tournament to a 36-holes. The Wolverines did come back in the final nine holes to play significantly better, as the Maize and Blue closed with a 310 final round to move up three positions and tie for eighth with Purdue (303-230) with 623 totals.
Individually for the Wolverines, freshman Billy McKay (Grand Blanc, Mich./David Leadbetter Golf Academy) led the way as he recorded his fourth top-20 finish of the season, tying for 18th with a 153 total. After opening with a 76 in the first round, he came back in the second round with a 77.
Starting his third straight tournament for the Wolverines, junior Brian Ottenweller (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central HS) tied for 23rd after closed with a 154 36-hole total. After opening with a 78 in the first round he lowered his score by two in the eventual final round, posting a 76.
Junior Tim Schaetzel (Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy) tied for 36th with a 156 total after firing rounds of 79 and 77, while senior Kevin Dore (Dundas, Ontario, Canada/St. Mary's) tied for 53rd with a 161 total (80-81) and sophomore Bill Rankin (Traverse City, Mich./Central HS) tied for 61st with a 162 total (82-80).
Louisville was able to take advantage of its 292 first round team tally, and the Cardinals held on for a nine-shot victory with a 591 total (292-299). Michigan State (295-305) was the runner-up with a 600 36-hole total, while Penn State (296-310) was third at 606. Individually, Michigan State's Matt Harmon took medalist honors with an even-par 142 performance after firing back-to-back rounds of 71. Louisville's Derek Fathauer was the runner-up with a 144 total (72-72), while Penn State's Robery Rohanna was third at 146 (71-75).
The Wolverines will now shift their focus to the Big Ten Championships. The Maize and Blue will once again travel down to Columbus, Ohio, for the 2007 conference tournament Friday through Sunday, April 27-29). The 72-hole event will be played at OSU's Scarlet Course.
Team Standings
1. Louisville 292-299 = 591
2. Michigan State 295-305 = 600
3. Penn State 296-310 = 606
4. South Carolina 294-313 = 607
Northwestern 295-312 = 607
6. Illinois 306-306 = 612
7. Ohio State 305-315 = 620
8. MICHIGAN 313-310 = 623
Purdue 303-320 = 623
10. Indiana 313-312 = 625
11. Notre Dame 314-314 = 628
12. Iowa 308-324 = 632
13. Wisconsin 319-320 = 639
14. Ohio 309-331 = 640
15. SMU 317-324 = 641
16. Marshall 322-332 = 654
Top Individuals
1. Matt Harmon, Michigan State 71-71 = 142 (E)
2. Derek Fathauer, Louisville 72-72 = 144
3. Robert Rohanna, Penn State 71-75 = 146
4. David Merkow, Northwestern 72-76 = 148
Lewis Kirton, Louisville 71-77 = 148
6. Kyle Moore, Northwestern 70-79 = 149
7. Patrick Nagle, Illinois 74-76 = 150
Florian Fritsch, South Carolina 73-77 = 150
George Bryan IV, South Carolina 70-80 = 150
Colt Knost, SMU 73-77 = 150
11. Warren Thomas, South Carolina 74-77 = 151
Kyle Hosick, Illinois 74-77 = 151
Kevin Foley, Penn State 73-78 = 151
Michigan Individuals
T18. Billy McKay 76-77 = 153 T23. Brian Ottenweller 78-76 = 154 T36. Tim Schaetzel 79-77 = 156 T53. Kevin Dore 80-81 = 161 T61. Bill Rankin 82-80 = 162
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
