Men’s golf team finishes in second

After a strong showing in the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate at Colbert Hills Golf Course, the men's golf team narrowly missed the championship, finishing in second place.

The team finished nine strokes behind Central Arkansas University. K-State carded a score of 34-over-par 898, while Central Arkansas scored a 25-over-par 889.

"We had a chance to win the tournament when we teed off this morning," head coach Tim Norris said. "Central Arkansas just played better than we did. I knew they would be the competition to beat, but it was a great experience for our guys."

University of Missouri-Kansas City, which was tied with the Wildcats to begin the day, fell four strokes behind them to finish in third with a score of 38-over-par 902.

Two freshmen, Jack Watson and Thomas Birdsey, helped the Wildcats to their finish. Watson, who competed as an individual, carded a 2-under-par 214 to finish in second place, while Birdsey carded a 1-under par 215.

Norris said this is a great motivational boost, not only for them, but for the team.

"We have some good young players that have had a lot of success," Norris said. "If anything, the motivation is within the team. They're all out there playing and having a good time."

Senior Jason Schulte also notched a top-10 finish in 10th place, scoring a 9-over-par 225. Sophomore Ben Juffer finished tied for 12th at 10 over par. Junior Kyle Smell and sophomore Curtis Yonke rounded out the lineup in a tie for 35th at 21-over-par 237.

David Klaudt, another freshman who competed as an individual, also had a successful tournament. Klaudt carded a score of 14-over-par 230, placing in a tie for 15th place.

Senior Ross Geubelle and sophomore Chase Chamberlin finished in a tie for 30th, both carding a score of 19-over-par, while freshman Tyler Norris carded a score of 30-over-par, placing in 45th.

Gideon Pienaar of Central Arkansas was the individual winner, carding a score of 5-under-par 211.

K-State next competes Oct. 11 and 12 when the team travels to Akron, Ohio, to compete in the Firestone Invitational.