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SEPT.
19 — Leafs Get Taste Of Blackthorn, MCC Tourney
Goshen participates
in MCC Preview Tournament; improvements ahead |
South Bend, IN — Cold and blustery
conditions set the backdrop for Tuesday’s Mid-Central Conference “Battle
At Blackthorn,” an environment that all in attendance hoped
is not duplicated come MCC Championship time in October.
Swirling winds and temperatures in the mid 50’s made Tuesday’s “preview” of
the upcoming MCC Championships an even greater challenge, as Goshen
struggled to a final-score 376, the team’s highest mark this
season.
“We went into today with the idea that we wanted to just
play this course blindly and try to take notes as we went,” said
Cory Furman, Goshen head coach. “I think we were all a bit
taken aback at both the length and the beauty of this place. Obviously,
the weather didn’t help, but I’m confident that we
will post much lower scores when the tournament rolls around.”
Blackthorn’s 7,136-yard layout and 135 slope rating made
for a tough first go-around for the Leafs, as no player shot in
the 70’s and just one — senior Joel Kauffman — scored
in the 80’s. Kauffman’s 42-42 — 84 was not only
the low score on the day for the squad but also the most consistent,
as the remainder of Goshen’s team shot an average 3.4 strokes
higher on the back nine than the front.
“We had some confusion on certain yardages and there was
a variety of heavy slopes on greens and some hidden collection
areas behind
them,” Furman said. “We also have some guys who are
really struggling with their swing right now. Hopefully we can
figure out our own problems soon. This course will only get easier
for us as we continue to practice on it. Given the proximity to
campus, we’re going to try to make it back here quite a bit
before (the MCC Championships).”
Freshman Zach Wright was second in line for Goshen, carding a 90
after a highly respectable 43 on the front nine. Junior Chad Unrein
had to settle for a 99 after carding a 45 on the front, including
finishing the front nine with a pair of double-bogeys.
“Chad finally got his swing regrooved, only for some mental
mistakes and some putting woes to hold him back,” Furman
said. “It
was good to see him striking the ball the way he’s capable.
The rest of his game should fall in line soon.”
Senior Tyler Roth’s 104 was off his recent pace, while freshman
Shawn Martz continues to struggle with his swing, firing a season-high
115.
“Shawn is in the process of trying to re-find his swing at
the college level,” Furman said. “He told me (while
he was in high school) his coach wanted his players to be even
with the competition
or better than the competition on each hole. You can’t do
that at this level. You’ve got to play your own game, manage
the course according to your own ball and not worry about what
the other guy is doing or shooting. If he buys into that philosophy,
I think his swing will come back fully by the end of the year.”
Bethel College won the tournament, carding a 309. Spring Arbor
University finished runner-up with a 312, while Indiana Wesleyan
University took third in firing a 315. Marian College and Huntington
University tied for fourth with a 316, while the University of
St. Francis (348) and Grace College (354) rounded out the field.
Taylor University was the lone MCC member not to participate in
the day’s event.
Bethel’s Chris Tilbury won individual medalist honors, shooting
a one-over par 73 on the day.
Due to an internal scheduling conflict, Goshen was forced to withdraw
from Thursday’s Taylor University Invitational. That change
sets the Leafs’ next intercollegiate competition for next
Monday, when the team will travel to Laporte, Ind. to take part
in the Purdue University-North Central Triangular at Briar Leaf
Golf Course. That touranment will feature a shotgun start at 10
a.m. CST, 11 a.m. EST.
Final Results
MCC "Battle At Blackthorn"
Blackthorn Golf Course
GOSHEN COLLEGE – (376)
Kauffman, 42/42 84; Wright, 43/47 90; Unrein, 45/54 99; Martz,
57/58 115; Troyer,
52/51 103; Roth, 50/54 104 |
  Senior
Joel Kauffman
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