Golfers Finish Second At Houston All-American

Monday, February 27

Houston, Texas

TBA

Colorado

All Rounds

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

February 28, 2006 | Men's Golf

By: David Plati, Associate AD/Sports Information

HOUSTON ? The University of Colorado men's golf team couldn't make up any ground here Tuesday but still posted its best result in almost two years in finishing second in the Houston All-American Intercollegiate.

Host Houston led from wire-to-wire in winning with an 853 score, which was 11-under par. The No. 50 Buffaloes, the highest ranked team in the tournament (Houston was No. 58), were in second after the first 18 and remained there in the end, closing with a 2-over team score of 866. Middle Tennessee State (875), Kansas (877) and Texas-Arlington (879) rounded out the top five.

Senior Edward McGlasson paved the way for the Buffaloes, carding a final round 74 for a 215 total (1-under par), tying him for seventh place. Redshirt freshman Derek Tolan tied for 10th, finishing with a 76 for a 217 score.

Memphis' Kevin Fortin-Simard claimed medalist honors, riding a final round 72 to an 8-under 208, topping Jacksonville State's Daniel Willett by one stroke on the 7,220-yard, par-72 Tradition Course at Cypresswood Golf Club course.

Senior Kenny Coakley, who was eighth through two rounds, woke up ill with flu-like symptoms and battled through it to finish with a 79 for a 221 total, tying for 20th.

Sophomore Patrick Grady shot his best round of the fall or spring in competition, a 1-over 73, closing with a 222 too tie for 25th, and freshman Diego Munoz put up one of the best final 18 hole scores of the tournament, as his 2-under 70 pegged him at 227, tying for 35th.

Only four players shot in the 60s Tuesday, all 3-under 69s, while Munoz recorded one of just the other four subpar rounds on the day, and just one of two 70s. Only Colorado and Houston had four golfers place in the top 25, and were joined by Southeastern Louisiana to have all five in the top 35.

“The course was set up tougher, the wind blew a little bit, a typical final round set-up, and in a good tournament, the final round always plays a little bit harder,” interim head coach Brad Neher said. “It was an excellent golf course, and I'm happy with the tournament itself.

“We played consistent and solid, but we just didn't get anything really rolling. Edward was 2-under on the front and then had four straight bogeys on the back, and Kenny really hung in there but was weak all day. Not having him at full strength hurt us, because he was playing well.

“We had some encouraging things too,” he added. “Diego played well, shooting what he did in a final round setup, and Patrick is starting to come around.”

CU last won a tournament in March 2004, claiming the Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, Calif. The second place finish here was Colorado's best finish since a runner-up effort in Purdue's Invitational two weeks after its win at the Western, or a span of 14 meets.

“Overall, I'm happy with how we played,” Neher concluded. “I think we're moving in the right direction and we come right back and get another test next week in Louisiana. It's good that we're back in competition so quickly... they're hungry because we didn't finish the job here.”

The Buffaloes will return home for the remainder of the week before leaving Saturday to participate in the Louisiana Classics next Monday and Tuesday.

BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS

T7. Edward McGlasson....... 70-71-74?215

T10. Derek Tolan............ 71-70-76?217

T20. Kenny Coakley.......... 71-71-79?221

T25. Patrick Grady.......... 74-75-73?222

T35. Diego Munoz............ 80-77-70?227

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS

1. Kevin Fortin-Simard, Memphis........ 69-67-72--208

2. Daniel Willett, Jacksonville St. ... 71-66-72--209

3. Ricky Romano, Houston............... 71-70-69--210

4. Gary Woodland, Kansas............... 70-71-71--212

5. Zach Mowbray, Houston............... 69-70-74--213