Men's Golf to Compete at Ball State Cardinal Collegiate

Posted: Mar 27, 2009

March 27, 2009

TEEING OFF: Following an injury and sickness ridden showing at the 2009 Desert Shootout in Goodyear, Ariz, Cleveland State is back to health and ready for the Ball State Cardinal Collegiate from March 28-29. The 54-hole event will be played at the par-72, 6,859-yard Sultan's Run Golf Club in Jasper, Ind.

LAST TIME OUT: The Vikings placed 13th of 14 teams at the Desert Shootout held at the par-72, 7,105-yard Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Ariz. with a total score of 884. The Vikings were not playing with their regular lineup as junior Kyle Cobb missed the event with an ankle injury, while several of CSU's regulars were battling illness. Sophomore Kent Monas led the team with a three-round total of 217 including a career-best 68 on the first day. Senior Jake Scott was close behind with a total score of 218, also posting a low round of 68 in the opening round.

THE HEAD COACH: In just his second season at the helm of the Cleveland State golf program, Steve Weir is already making a name for himself. The former Viking standout was recognized as the Horizon League Coach of the Year last season after leading the Vikings to the league title and a berth in the NCAA Championship. In his lone season of golf for the Vikings (2006), Weir earned all-league honors and was a two-time Horizon League Golfer of the Week. He was instumental in helping the Vikings claim the 2006 Horizon League Championship as he placed 11th overall. In addition, he holds the school-record for lowest round as he carded an eight-under par 63 en route to a runner-up finish at the Belmont Intercollegiate.

WATCH FOR JAKE: Senior Jake Scott was named one of the Top 50 Players to Watch in the 2008-09 GolfWorld.com season preview. Scott was the only golfer from the Horizon League to be honored with this recognition. He had eight top-10 finishes in 2007-08 and posted a school-record scoring average of 72.7. In addition, he recorded a first place finish at the Kent State Invitational with rounds of 69-65 (134), while also claiming medalist honors at the Horizon League Championship.

CAREER LOW FOR WILLIAMS: Sophomore Derrick Williams got the call last weekend at the Desert Shootout when Kyle Cobb couldn't play due to an ankle injury. Williams shot an opening round 79, but followed that up with back-to-back 74's, marking his career low round at CSU.

DEFENDING CHAMPS: CSU will be working this year to defend its Horizon League Championship. The Vikings, who have won two of the last three league titles, graduated just one player from last year's squad, Doug Barber.

UP NEXT: The Vikings return to action on Saturday, April 4 at the 36-hole Ohio State Invitational before heading to Dayton, Ohio to defend their title at the 36-hole Wright State Invitational on Sunday, April 5.