2008 Woodie Awards
Akron has landmark performance at Firestone
Jeff Thomas
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Sports
The University of Akron men's golf team finished in second place this weekend at the FirstEnergy Intercollegiate Tournament.
It was Akron's best result since it began hosting the tournament at Firestone Country Club more than 20 years ago.
The Zips were in first place for most of the second day, but were unable to fend off a late charge by Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels recorded three birdies on the last hole of the tournament, finishing with a first-place score of 868.
Akron ended the tournament one stroke back with a final score of 869.
Junior Colin Clemente tied for fourth place with a score of 216. It was his third-straight top-five finish. Senior Blake Sattler finished seventh, with a score of 217.
Junior Ryan Gutowski and sophomore Brad Wright recorded identical scores of 218, good for 10th place.
Coach Tom Porten believes that putting was a major factor in the tournament's outcome.
"All credit goes to Eastern Kentucky," he said. "They played the last three holes at five-under (par), and we played them at three-under. It was those two strokes that led to the final result of the tournament. We tried to put ourselves in the best position to win, but we just didn't get it done with the putter."
Porten expressed bittersweet emotions regarding his team's second-place finish.
"We're very pleased to be moving toward a more competitive level and to have been playing for the championship in our home tournament," he said.
"That being said, it is disappointing to miss out on a victory by so close a margin."
Porten feels that disappointment will be short-lived, however, and will not affect the team's momentum heading into the MAC Championship tournament. It is the Zips final event of the season.
"This is a great group of guys," he said. "They have a very short memory. We'll work on a couple of problem areas in practice, but we're still confident we can get it done this weekend."
The four-day, 72-hole event begins on Wednesday at the Medallion Golf Club in Westerville, Ohio.
It was Akron's best result since it began hosting the tournament at Firestone Country Club more than 20 years ago.
The Zips were in first place for most of the second day, but were unable to fend off a late charge by Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels recorded three birdies on the last hole of the tournament, finishing with a first-place score of 868.
Akron ended the tournament one stroke back with a final score of 869.
Junior Colin Clemente tied for fourth place with a score of 216. It was his third-straight top-five finish. Senior Blake Sattler finished seventh, with a score of 217.
Junior Ryan Gutowski and sophomore Brad Wright recorded identical scores of 218, good for 10th place.
Coach Tom Porten believes that putting was a major factor in the tournament's outcome.
"All credit goes to Eastern Kentucky," he said. "They played the last three holes at five-under (par), and we played them at three-under. It was those two strokes that led to the final result of the tournament. We tried to put ourselves in the best position to win, but we just didn't get it done with the putter."
Porten expressed bittersweet emotions regarding his team's second-place finish.
"We're very pleased to be moving toward a more competitive level and to have been playing for the championship in our home tournament," he said.
"That being said, it is disappointing to miss out on a victory by so close a margin."
Porten feels that disappointment will be short-lived, however, and will not affect the team's momentum heading into the MAC Championship tournament. It is the Zips final event of the season.
"This is a great group of guys," he said. "They have a very short memory. We'll work on a couple of problem areas in practice, but we're still confident we can get it done this weekend."
The four-day, 72-hole event begins on Wednesday at the Medallion Golf Club in Westerville, Ohio.
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