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Golf team takes third at home tournament
Schlitts qualifies for Super Regional
By Tim Sayers
Collegian Reporter
The men's golf team
finished up their best season in years with a third place finish
at the Hillsdale College Invite this past weekend at Blackberry
Patch Golf Course in Coldwater, Mich.
"It was a great tournament, and it is
always nice to be able to end the season at your home course,"
coach Sam Hargraves said.
After the first day of competition, the Chargers
were tied for second overall with Grand Valley State with a
score of 308.
On the second day of the tournament, however,
Hillsdale posted a 322 to finish with a total score of 630,
nine strokes behind Grand Valley State (621) and 23 behind Ferris
State (607).
"Our first day score was very encouraging,"
Hargraves said. "Being tied with Grand Valley and only
2 strokes behind Ferris State, which are the two traditional
powers in our league, was great."
Sophomore Rob Schlitts paced the Chargers
with a sixth place overall finish, shooting a two-day combined
score of 154. Schlitts' play this season has qualified him to
play in the Super Regional Tournament in Kentucky on May 2-6.
"I was lucky enough to qualify to go
to the Super Regional this season," Schlitts said. "This
is the last step before nationals. It is great that I am getting
a chance to go play in the tournament, because Hillsdale golf
has not had anyone in the Super Regional before."
"It's a great honor for Rob," Hargraves
said. "I just really respect his mental approach to the
game. He really controls his emotions well, which I think is
very important in competitive golf. When something doesn't go
his way, he can shake it off pretty easily."
Other competitors for the Chargers were freshmen
Mike Ketelaar (156), Ryan Timmer (159), Chris Johnson (161)
and B.J. Krech (167).
The tournament also signified the end of the
road for two Hillsdale golfers, seniors Billy Spratt and Drew
Piazza, who competed on the Hillsdale B team.
Spratt led all Chargers with a final score
of 153, good enough for a fourth place finish overall.
Because they are losing only two seniors,
and the team is mostly freshmen, the outlook for the golf team
is very bright. They are expecting very big things next year.
"As a team our goal is to make it to
the Super Regional next year,' Schlitts said. "With the
talent we have, if we don't make it, it will be a total disappointment."
"I am so encouraged and excited for next
year," Hargraves said.
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