May 2, 2006
Contact: Alan Ashby
Final Horizon League Team & Individual Results
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CARMEL, Ind. -- Cleveland State has known for nearly two years that it would be hosting the 2006 NCAA Men's Golf Central Regional. On Tuesday, the Vikings guaranteed that they'd most likely be playing in it by claiming a five-stroke victory over Youngstown State to earn the team title at the Horizon League Championship.
In winning the second league title in school history, CSU earned its first-ever NCAA Regional bid. When the Vikings won their only other title in 1998, the league did not receive an automatic bid to the NCAAs. The last CSU team to advance to NCAA play in any sport was the 1997 softball squad.
"This is a monumental day for the program," CSU head coach Tom Porten said. "This gives us the opportunity to see how good we can do on a national stage -- hopefully on our home course."
The Vikings led by seven shots heading into the final round and were never really challenged over the final 18 holes, until struggling with the tough par-three 16th. CSU finished at five-over par (293) for the day and six-under (858) for the tournament.
"I wasn't really nervous at all until we put a couple of balls in the water on 16," Porten said. "Other than that one hole, I thought we played some tremendous golf today. It's never easy to play with the lead when everyone is gunning for you."
Youngstown State put together the low round of the day at three-under par (285) to finish at one-under (863) for the 54-hole event at the 6,701 yard, par 72 Plum Creek Golf Club. Both Loyola and Detroit were two shots further back at one-over (865).
Cleveland State junior Mike Rutgers earned all-tournament honors after finishing in a three-way tie for third place at five-under par (211), just a shot out of the lead. Junior Ben Grandy tied for eighth at one-under (215), while senior Steve Weir was 11th at even par (216).
Wright State's Brandon Knutson defeated Butler's Will Turner on the fourth playoff hole to earn medalist honors.
"From the day we walked off the course after not winning last year's league championship, this was our goal," Weir said. "Getting off to a good start yesterday was key. I thought everyone was really focused, but loose out on the course. It's such a great feeling to know we're going to be playing in a regional in a couple of weeks."
At the conclusion of the event, Rutgers and Weir were named to the All-Horizon League team, while Porten was named the Horizon League's Coach of the Year.
The Vikings advance to one of three NCAA regionals and would most The Central Regional will be held at Sand Ridge Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio, while the other two sites are Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. and Tucson National Golf Club. The NCAA will announce the field on Monday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. with the regional dates set for May 18-20.
Team Scores:
1. Cleveland State 280-285-293--858 (-6)
2. Youngstown State 294-284-285--863 (-1)
T3. Detroit 287-290-288--865 (+1)
T3. Loyola 283-289-293--865 (+1)
5. Wright State 293-287-294--874 (+10)
6. Butler 298-284-304--886 (+22)
7. UW-Green Bay 294-292-307--893 (+29)
Individual Leaders:
T1. Brandon Knutson, Wright State 71-68-71--210 (won on fourth playoff hole)
T1. Will Turner, Butler 71-67-72--210
T3. Mike Rutgers, Cleveland State 69-71-71--211
T3. Frank Linquist, Loyola 67-73-71--211
T3. Mark Sommerfeld, Detroit 69-69-73--211
Cleveland State Individuals:
T3. Mike Rutgers 69-71-71--211 (-5)
T8. Ben Grandy 68-72-75--215 (-1)
11. Steve Weir 70-72-74--216 (E)
17. Jake Scott 73-70-77--220 (+4)
24. Doug Barber 80-73-73--226 (+10)
