Mishawaka, IN — A strong cold front moving through northern Indiana gave way to partly cloudy skies and unseasonably cool temperatures Wednesday afternoon at Knollwood Country Club.
Perhaps mirroring the weather, the Bethel College Invitational was untraditional as well.
With temps hovering in the mid-60’s all day, the Goshen College men’s golf team participated in a slightly different eight-team tournament Wednesday, using a two-man scramble, a two-man best ball and a two-man alternate shot format — plus an individual score — to post a team tally of 347.
The stroke total was the highest of any of the participating schools and 14 shots off Goshen's own season-opening 333 round at last week’s Goshen College Invitational (click here for related article), but Leafs’ head coach Cory Furman said that his team thoroughly enjoyed the competition and opportunity in a uniquely-styled tournament.
“Even though we didn’t shoot as well as we could have, this was probably one of the most fun events we’ve ever participated in as a team,” Furman said. “Knollwood is a great course and the weather was perfect, if you like it cool. We approached this tournament as a way to challenge our own games and I think we benefited collectively from the experience.”
Carding the low score for the squad was the scramble tandem of seniors Chad Unrein and Tyler Roth, who fired a 78. Freshman Taylor TenHarmsel and classmate Ryan Hallman teamed to score an 80 in the alternate shot flight, while senior Tyler Springer and freshman Shawn Martz struggled to a 95 in the best ball heat.
Junior Luke Penner carded a 94 playing as Goshen’s individual golfer.
“Really, the only team that pushed the competition a bit was Taylor and Ryan,” Furman said. “Alternate shot is a tough format because you can really never get into a flow individually. Taylor and Ryan played off of each other’s strengths well, as was indicated by their consistent 40-40 score.”
Furman said that Unrein and Roth had turned in a scramble score of 70 just two days prior to the event, but late troubles hurt the pair on Wednesday.
“Chad and Tyler shot a 37 on the front, but had some troubles on the tighter back side,” Furman said. “Luke was disappointed in the way he played, but again, golf is a tough game. We will bounce back as a group once we return to more traditional tournaments.”
Huntington University won Wednesday’s team trophy with a team score of 287. That tally bettered host Bethel’s card of 288 by a single stroke. Tri-State University (296), the University of St. Francis (305) and Holy Cross College (322) rounded off the team scoring.
Goshen will next compete in the St. Francis Fall Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, as that tournament will offer more than just a chance to play competitively: With one round being played at Noble Hawk and the other at Cobblestone, the Leafs will benefit from a preview of next month’s Mid-Central Conference Championships — an event to take place at Noble Hawk.
“Monday and Tuesday should really be enjoyable,” Furman said. “All of the MCC schools will be there, and it’s always fun to play the course on which a championship will be held.”
Goshen is scheduled to tee off at 10:36 a.m. on Monday at Cobblestone. The team will then return to play Noble Hawk on Tuesday morning. That tee time has yet to be announced and will be based on Monday’s team scoring.
Goshen Results
Bethel College Fall Invitational
Knollwood Country Club
GOSHEN COLLEGE – (347) Individual - Penner, 47/47, 94; Scramble - Unrein/Roth, 37/41, 78; Alternate Shot - TenHarmsel/Hallman, 40/40, 80; Best Ball - Springer/Martz, 47/48, 95
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Freshman Taylor TenHarmsel