A tale of two teams

As a co-host of the Big Red Classic at Lake Diamond Golf & Country Club in Ocala, Fla. March 9-10, IU was optimistic they would be swinging into contention for the tournament title. \nInstead, the Hoosiers struggled to their worst finish since the season-opening Badger Invitational in September. IU placed 14th in the 16-team tournament.\nIU closed the tournament with a final score of 929 (319-306-304). Lamar University won the Big Red Classic by shooting an impressive 2-under-par 862. Lamar had two golfers; Chris Stroud (-3) and Chris Davis (E) finish in the top five individually.\nFor IU, the best showing of the tournament came from junior Aldo Jordan. Despite firing an 80 in the tournament's final round, Jordan had a three-round total of 231 to finish the tournament tied for 44th individually.\nThe next best score for IU came from freshman Heath Peters. Peters shot a 233 (86-72-75) to finish the tournament tied for 53rd. The other scorers in the Big Red Classic were junior Ben Davidson (81-80-75-236), junior Mike Miller (84-78-76-238), freshman Jeff Overton (81-79-79-239) and freshman Rob Ockenfuss (83-83-78-244).\n"We are a lot better team than what we shot this weekend," head coach Mike Mayer said.\nTrue to Mayer's belief, the Hoosiers displayed a marked improvement in the first two rounds of the El Diablo Intercollegiate. IU posted a score of 588 (292-296), just one shot behind fourth place William & Mary. The Hoosiers were also just seven shots behind first place Marshall heading into the final round on Sunday.\nLeading the way for the Hoosiers were Overton and Peters. Both tied for 15th individually with two-round totals of 146. Ockenfuss was right behind his freshman teammates with a score of 147 (73-74).\n"I was extremely pleased with the play of our freshmen today," Mayer said. "To have three freshmen in your lineup and for them to shoot those scores, is a lot to ask for. But they're good players and they are continuing to become better players"