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Golf team takes ninth in Indiana
By Tim Sayers
Collegian Reporter
The men's golf team
traveled last weekend to Auburn, Ind. to compete in the Great
Lakes Regional No. 3 Tournament at the Deer Track Golf Course.
Hillsdale finished ninth out of 19 teams with
a two-day composite score of 622 strokes, beating out schools
such as Findlay (624), Southern Indiana (626) and Northwood
(627).
"Overall, the guys just had a great weekend,"
coach Sam Hargraves said. "They played really well. To
finish in the top half of the conference is great. It really
shows our improvement."
Grand Valley State won the tournament with
an impressive score of 593, while Ferris State and Saginaw Valley
State rounded out the top three, both scoring 605.
The team said they played well, despite the
less-than-ideal weather conditions.
"I am proud of our team," freshman
Mike Ketelaar said. "The conditions in Indiana were far
from appealing. Both days we had to contest with 30 to 35 mile
per hour winds. I am proud of our team for remaining patient
and calm in spite of the difficult conditions."
"The score the second day was big,"
Hargraves said. "It was so windy that it was hard to keep
your concentration, even while you were putting. It was a true
test of skill because it affects how you play and your club
selection, and the way we played was just very impressive."
Ketelaar led the Chargers with back-to-back
77s, good enough for him to tie for 23rd overall.
"I was very pleased with my efforts,"
Ketelaar said. "I have been struggling this spring, and
it felt reassurring to play two resepctable rounds. My play
gave me much-needed confidence, which will hopefully help me
perform well at our home event this coming weekend at Blackberry
Patch."
Right behind Ketelaar was sophomore Rob Schlitts
(155), along with freshmen Chris Johnson (156), Ryan McKendry
(161) and Ryan Timmer (161), who recorded his lowest round of
the season (76) on Saturday.
With his performance this weekend, Schlitts
could possibly have secured a spot in the national tournament.
"Rob could possibly make nationals
this year," Hargraves said. "Eight teams from our
region go, and then they take the best five individuals not
on those teams. Rob, with his excellent play so far this season,
has an excellent shot at making it. It would be really great
for him, mainly because he is a young player, and it would be
great for his confidence."
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