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Golfers Win Louisiana Classics
March 11, 2008 | Men's Golf
Three Buffs placed in the top seven and four in the top 12 as CU hadn't placed four golfers in the top 12 of a major tournament in almost 29 years. The last time it happened was September 1979, when Steve Jones was second and Rick Cramer, Terry Kahl and Trevor Jones all tied for 10th in the Air Force Falcon Invitational. It was the fourth time this season the Buffaloes played in the final group, but the first time CU was able to stay in the hunt for 18 holes. “I thought we were better prepared, those other three times were good experiences, and taught us what to do and how to approach things,” Edwards said. “The guys built on that. We improved every round and it paid off.” CU's final round score of 279, or 9-under par on the 7,141-yard, par-72 Oakbourne Country Club course, tied for the third best single round in school history, the second best score ever recorded for a final round. It marked the 10th time in school history that the Buffs finished under par in a tournament, the first time in three years CU turned in such a performance, going back to a 24-under par effort in the Waikoloa Intercollegiate in This was the 18th time, all consecutive, that the Buffaloes participated in the Classics, but CU came in with just three top five finishes here, all fifth place efforts, until finally reaching the top of the standings. Senior Jim Grady posted his career best and first top five or 10 finish in placing third, after a 3-under 69 gave him a 1-under 215 total for the tournament ? one of just four players under par for the 54-hole event. “It feels good to actually play well in a school event for once,” Grady said. “It's a lot different than playing in a CGA (Colorado Golf Association) event, it's generally harder for kids from Colorado to play better at sea level because of the differences in altitude and the grasses, but I am finally getting used to it. “I am probably a lot more at ease on the course, a lot more relaxed,” he said of his game this spring, in which he owns a team-best 70.3 stroke average. “Not a whole lot has changed particularly in relation to my physical game, other than I am hitting the ball better off the tee and am not taking penalty strokes like I used to.”
Sophomore Luke Symons recorded his second straight 2-under 70 after an opening 76, getting back to even par for the meet (216) in tying for fifth. That was also his collegiate best finish as well as second top 10 career effort.
Junior Derek Tolan also put a 69 into the books, enabling
him to complete a rally from an opening 77 to finish with a 1-over 217l, as he tied for seventh, matching his best finish of the season.
Grady and Tolan recorded two of just three rounds in the 60s in the 78-man field Tuesday, with Grady's his fourth sub-70 score this spring, after not having any in collegiate play his first three-and-a-half seasons.
Senior Michael Baird closed with a 71 for a 3-over 219, which tied him for 12th, and freshman Michael Imperato completed the CU quintet, turning in a 76 for a 224 score to tie for 34th.
“We didn't let a bad start affect us yesterday, and a couple of guys got off to bad starts today, and it didn't affect them,” Edwards said. “The same goes with getting off to a good start, it didn't go to anyone's head and we did what we've preached, and that is to stay in the moment. They have bought into that philosophy and really did a great job with it. And now we have the result to prove it.”
Edwards first win as a head coach came in his second season and 20th tournament as head coach; his two predecessors, the only other full-time coaches in school history, took a little longer. The late Les Fowler had his first tournament win in his sixth year (1953), while the late Mark Simpson enjoyed his in his fourth season (1979).
“It's was great (to win), but it's more about the guys doing what they're supposed to do,” Edwards said. “I was most proud about the guys putting into practice what we've been talking about doing.”
The win here also had a little extra special meaning, as this was Simpson's favorite college tournament.
SMU's Kelly Kraft captured medalist honors, firing a final round 70 for a 5-under 211 score, good for a three-stroke win.
The Buffaloes will return to action in two weeks, during CU's spring break, traveling to
T 3. Jim Grady.................................... 75-71-69?215
T 5. Luke Symons............................... 76-70-70?216
T 7. Derek Tolan................................. 77-71-69?217
T12.
T34. Michael Imperato........................ 76-72-76?224
TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1. Kelly Kraft, SMU............................ 73-68-70?211
2. Jordan Utley,
3. Jim Grady,
3.
5.
5.
TEAM SCORES
1.
2. SMU......................................... 297-292-286?875
3.
4.
5. North
6.
7.
8. Louisiana-Lafayette.................. 300-291-298?889
8. SE
10.
11.
11.
13. Louisiana-Monroe.................... 305-304-296?905
14.
