Men's and women's golf teams post season's best scores

The IU men’s and women’s golf teams posted their best finishes this season in their first weekday tournaments of the year.

The men’s team edged Notre Dame by one stroke Tuesday to win the Firestone Invitational title.

After a slow start, IU put itself in contention with a season-low team score of 273 (-15) on Monday in the second round at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

With a final-round score of 285 on Tuesday, the Hoosiers finished at 849 (-15) for the tournament.

In the first round, the Hoosiers posted a 291 (+3) score.

“It was a great team effort,” IU coach Mike Mayer said. “I’m proud of the way we endured and overcame our poor start then were able to kick it into high gear.”

Leading the Hoosiers was junior David Erdy, earning co-medalist honors with Maryland’s John Popeck. Erdy posted a 7-under 65 in the second round, which tied his career best. He posted a three-round total of 207 (70-65-72).

“We didn’t start off well, it was almost like we were fooling around,” Mayer said. “But it sure didn’t hurt getting the low rounds from David Erdy and David Mills.”

Also contributing was fellow junior Chase Wright, who had the low Hoosier score in the final round with a 2-under 70. His 214 three-round total earned a sixth place finish.
Sophomore Brant Peaper tied for seventh.

The Hoosiers also received strong play from their entire lineup during the course of the tournament, including freshman Mills.

Mills posted a second-round 67 and finished the tournament at even-par 216 (75-67-74), placing him in 10th. Sophomore Kyle Perry finished 48th in his first start for IU.

“We put ourselves in position to win this tournament by committing to ourselves,” Mayer said. “We had a game plan, and we came in and executed by committing to our shots, our puts and our games.”

The men’s team was not the only golf team in action this weekend.

The IU women’s golf team, led by three top-15 finishes, finished tied for sixth at the Lady Northern Invitational at Lake Shore Golf Club in Glencoe, Ill.

The Hoosiers posted a 301 final-round score on Tuesday to finish with an 896 three-round score, its lowest tournament score this season.

Defending NCAA champion Purdue took the team title with an 858, followed by host Northwestern at 875.

“I thought we played pretty solid with a good effort from top to bottom in our lineup,” IU coach Clint Wallman said in a release. “We left some shots out there, but I think we are in a good position and are definitely showing signs that we are heading in the right direction.”

The Hoosiers were led by freshman Lindsay Gahm who finished with a 74 on Tuesday for a third place overall finish with a score of 213 (70-69-74).

Sophomore Kate Coons also contributed for the Hoosiers with a 15th place finish at 221 (75-74-72), her best finish of the season.

“We are going to keep working on the things we need to improve, which is capitalizing on the scoring opportunities we give ourselves,” Wallman said in a release. “We did a great job with our patience this weekend, and we will continue to work on our effort there.”