Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Valparaiso’s men’s golf team shot 298 on Tuesday in the final round of the Skyhawk Classic to finish the 54-hole event in 10th place at Paris Landing Golf Course in Buchanan, Tenn.

As a team the Crusaders finished with an 892 total, five strokes behind ninth place Tennessee-Martin’s “B” team and two shots ahead of Lipscomb.

“This was a mediocre week for us in terms of playing,” head coach Mike Higdon said.  “We weren’t great but we weren’t bad either.  It’s the first tournament in which we’ve had all three rounds under 300, so that’s a positive.  We’ll take the positives from this week and look to finish strong next week in Dayton.”

For the third straight round Kyle Henning (Brookfield, Wis./East H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders, shooting an even par round of 72 over the 6,685-yard layout.  The freshman finished the tournament in a tie for 20th place with a two-over par total of 218, his best as a collegian.

“Kyle played pretty well this week,” Higdon added.  “He shot three pretty good rounds and that’s definitely a bright spot for us this week.”

Thomas Wettstein (Neenah, Wis./Xavier H.S.) and Brad Winters (Elgin, Ill./Saint Edward H.S.) both carded 75s over the final round.  Wettstein finished the tournament at 227, one shot behind teammate Austin Gaugert (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger H.S.), while Winters posted 231.  Gaugert added a 76 for Valpo in the final round, to count as the team’s final scorer.

Adam Gray (Portland, Ind./Jay County H.S.) rounded out the Crusader lineup, shooting 79 on day two to finish at 228.

Central Arkansas won the team title at 22-under par 842 while Bethel’s (Tenn.) Josh Thomas won the individual title in a playoff after shooting seven-under par 209.

Valparaiso will wrap up the fall season next Monday and Tuesday at the Dayton Fall Invitational.  Play begins Monday at 9 a.m. CDT in Kettering, Ohio.