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April 26, 2004
The men's and women's golf teams will participate in the Horizon League Championship on April 26-27 at the Royal American Golf Links in Galena, Ohio.
Royal American is an 18-hole, par 72 public course located near Columbus and plays as a 6,859 yard course for the men and 6,100 yard course for the women.
Obush Leads Women's Squad Into Championship
This season will mark the second year of the women's tournament. Cleveland State finished fourth out of the four-team field last year at the Country Club of the North in Beavercreek, Ohio, shooting a 1,033 (339-359-335).
Kristen Obush (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) paced the Vikings, carding a 245 (83-83-79) for a fifth-place tie. Lori Hatcher of Youngstown State earned individual medallist honors with a 235 (77-80-78), leading the Penguins to the team title with a 981 (328-331-322).
"We're heading into this year's tournament hoping to surprise some people," head coach Tom Porten said. "Kristen has a good chance to get medalist honors if she is at the top of her game and will make us competitve as a team."
Men Hope to Remain Successful Against the League
The men's team will participate in it's 12th league championship this season. Last year, the Vikings finished third out of seven teams, carding a 912 (303-309-300) at the Country Club of the North in Dayton, Ohio. Cody Harris (Tecumseh, Ontario/St. Anne's) paced CSU with a score of 225 (73-77-75) for a seventh-place tie.
Wright State (293-289-292) beat out Butler (287-290-297) in a playoff for the team title after both teams finished the three rounds with scores of 874. Butler's Jeff Chapman claimed medalist honors, posting a 213 (68-70-75).
"We've been making small strides from tournament to tournament," Porten said. "Our short game has been improving, and, as long as we have confidence in that, we will be in the running for the championship."
The Vikings have proven to be competitive against Horizon League opponents this spring. In the last four tournaments, CSU has been one of the top Horizon League schools in the final standings, with league-best showings coming at the Cleveland State Invitational (April 2-3) and the Belmont Invitational (April 5-6).
Cleveland State won the league championship in 1998 at Bear Slide Golf Club in Cicero, Ind. Under coach Porten, CSU recorded a 917 (305-310-302) for top honors at the 6,533 yard, par 71 course.
Houle Fires 215 for Medalist Honor
Senior Billy Houle (Joliette, Quebec/Georges Vanier) closed out his final regular season tournament in brilliant fashion, shooting a one-under-par 215 (70-71-74) to earn medalist honors at the Bullock Collegiate Classic (April 18-19). His effort helped the Vikings combine to card a 932 (311-307-314) for a fourth-place tie at the Greene Country Club. In addition, Houle's performance earned him recognition by the Horizon League as its Men's Golf Athelte of the Week.
"Everything just came together for Billy," head coach Tom Porten said. "He just outplayed everyone. There was no one better on the course. It was a textbook three rounds."
Houle's effort marks his second career tournament win. He shared the individual title with teammate Christian Komsa at the 2002 Cleveland State Invitational at Legend Lake Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio.
Freshman Mike Rutgers (Kingsville, Ont./Cardinal Carter) finished with a 238 (82-79-77), while freshman Ben Grandy (Southgate, Mich./Gabriel Richard) and junior Jim Weikamp (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) recorded totals of 243.
Eastern Kentucky dominated the field for the team title, shooting a tournament-best 898 (297-304-297).
"We had a simple plan heading into the spring," Porten said. "Our goal was to improve with each tournament we played in, and we have done that. Everyone is buying into that and, because of it, we are strong heading into the league championship."
Women End Regular Season at Ashland
The Cleveland State women's golf team posted a two-round score of 699 on April 25 to finish fifth at the Ashland Invitational. The Vikings opened the tournament on April 24 with a 344 and concluded with final round of 355 at the par 71, 5810-yard Brookside Golf Club.
Sophomore Kristen Obush paced the Vikings for the seventh time this season, carding a 160 (78-82) for seventh place. Sophomore Mollie Porter carded a career-low 82 in the opening round and finished with a 176 (82-94) for a 23rd-place tie, while junior Nancy Bowling finished three shots behind Porter with a 179 (91-88) for a 26th-place tie.
Grand Valley State posted a tournament-best 628 (321-307) to win by 15 strokes while Ferris State's Heidi Aittama recorded a six-over 148 (74-74) to earn individual medalist honors.
Weikamp Earns Economics Scholarship
Junior Jim Weikamp was selected as the first-ever recipient of the Burke-Rosen Scholarship, the university announced. The scholarship, named in honor of CSU faculty emeriti John F. Burke, Jr., and Harvey S. Rosen, is awarded to a rising senior majoring in economics.
"This is a big honor for Jim," Porten said. "He has always been exceptional academically and will continue to succeed in his future endeavors."
Weikamp is in his second season with the men's golf team and holds an 82.1 average.
