Hoosiers win tourney title, all players finish in top 20

The IU men’s golf team shot a tournament-low score of 888 to win the Northern Intercollegiate title at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

They bested Saint Mary’s of California by 15 strokes. Senior Michael McGee had the low score for the Hoosiers, shooting 219, a six-over-par.

“We stumbled out first round a little bit, get the jitters out and get the nerves relaxed,” IU Coach Mike Mayer said. “Then we really came through with a second round. Today we didn’t give anyone else a chance. We were in control.”

IU’s competition consisted of two pre-season top-25 teams and two others that received votes.

Mayer called this course one of the toughest he has seen in his career.
During the difficulties of the first round, senior Corey Ziedonis shot a team-high score of 86.

“He is a senior, and Corey knows he can’t shoot that 86,” Mayer said. “As a senior, he can’t do that to this team.”

Ziedonis came out in Saturday afternoon’s second round to record a 71, one of four par rounds for the Hoosiers for the tournament.

He fired a final round of 72 to score a 229 overall.

“That was very important for this team,” Mayer said. “It was a statement by Corey that, number one, he is not going to let those things have a negative impact on him, and number two, that he can always bounce back.”

All six Hoosiers competing finished in the top 20.

“Michael (McGee) has always been a solid player for us,” Mayer said. “This is a big one for Michael. It gets him going, gets him a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence.”  

McGee’s 219 was good enough to secure him a second-place tie for the tournament. Senior Brant Peaper finished in fourth place, one shot back from McGee.

“I struggled to get in the lineup the last couple years, but I had a great summer,” McGee said. “I got some confidence, and I hope to keep the ball rolling going on with the college season.”

Freshman Sean Stone performed in the first tournament of his collegiate career.

“Sean has come a long way,” Mayer said. “He was No. 2 on his high school golf team. He needs to realize he’s arrived, he belongs and he can play at this level. He could be a special placer for us and the City of Evansville.”

Stone entered the final round in fourth place. He shot a five over par in the first round and even par in round two. His seven over par in the third round dropped him into a 13th place tie.

“I was pretty nervous with the new step in my golf career,” Stone said. “After a few holes, the nerves kind of went away, and I got under
control and started to play my game.”

Rounding out the scoring for the Hoosiers were junior David Mills, who finished in 19th with a score of 228, and junior Hugo Menendez, who shot a 229, finishing in a tie for 20th.

“It was a great team effort, and we got production up and down the lineup,” Mayer said. “Everyone did their part to get this win. Now we have more work to do to get ready for Wolf Run, because we will have the target on our back, and teams will be gunning for us.”