 Colorado
Men's
Team Finishes Fifth in Louisiana
TravelGolf.com
Staff Report
Buffs Record One-Under Team Score 287 Tuesday
LAFAYETTE, La. (MARCH 13, 2001) -The University of Colorado men's golf team shot one of its best rounds of the year and in this tournament here Tuesday as the Buffaloes finished fifth in the 16th Annual Louisiana Classics. The Buffaloes shot a one-under par 287 as a team in the second and final round to finish with a 582 total team score, just 10 strokes back of No. 38 Tennessee, which won with a 572 total on the strength of a great opening round (the Volunteers posted a nine-under 279). CU's 287 score was the second best of the day and fifth best overall in the meet, which was shortened to 36 holes when tournament officials had to shorten the meet after play was suspended for four hours Monday due to heavy rain and lightning. Tennessee was the only school to break par in the final standings, though No. 49 SMU recorded an even 576 tally in finishing second. No. 43 Mississippi (578) and host Louisiana-Lafayette (579) were the only other teams here that topped CU, as the No. 48 Buffaloes beat No. 19 Kansas and No. 36 Tulsa to record two important district victories. Overall, seven top 50 teams competed in the meet. Mississippi's Troy Muller claimed medalist honors, as his 68-71-139 scorecard was good for a two stroke win over a trip of golfers. Among a four way tie for fifth was CU sophomore Kane Webber, who turned in a three-under par 69 for a two-rounds total of 142 on the 7,002-yard, par-72 Oakbourne Country Club course.
Senior Matt Call tied for 20th with a 146 score, as he shot an
even-par 72 Tuesday. Junior Ben Portie tied for 30th, as his one-under
71 enabled him to rebound from an opening round 77 and close at
148. Another junior, Joe Liley, recorded a second straight 75
for a 150 total, as he may be emerging as a solid fifth man as
he played his best yet outside of Colorado.
"We had one of the better rounds in the field not only today, but in the entire tournament," CU head coach Mark Simpson said. "We lost a few shots towards the end, but I don't think it cost us any places in the standings so overall it was a very solid performance. We beat Kansas and Tulsa, two district rivals, for the first time this year, which will help us in our seeding for the NCAA Championships. Those were a couple of important wins. "Kane had a fantastic round today, and it was good to see Ben respond the way he did after he opened with a 77," Simpson added. "Matt (Call) was steady the entire tournament except for maybe two holes, and it was also nice that Joe Liley played his best ever away from home in back-to-back rounds. We need a solid fifth player to emerge, and he showed a lot of good signs here. Matt (Zions) just had one of those days today, but he played well Monday when we needed a spark to get us back into the swing of things." The Buffs will return to action in two weeks when they host the CU-Stevinson Ranch Invitational outside of Turlock, Calif., on March 26 and 27.
Buffalo Individuals
Kane Webber......... 73-69-142 t5th
Matt Call............... 74-72-146 t20th
Ben Portie............. 77-71-148 t30th
Matthew Zions........ 73-76-149 t35th
Joe Liley............... 75-75-150 t40th
Team Scores
1. Tennessee................... 279-293-572
2. Southern Methodist........ 283-293-576
3. Mississippi................... 284-294-578
4. Louisiana-Lafayette........ 288-291-579
5. Colorado..................... 295-287-582
6. Kansas........................ 302-283-585
7. Tulsa.......................... 291-297-588
8. Arkansas...................... 299-292-591
8. Baylor......................... 293-298-591
10. Sam Houston State.......... 300-294-594
11. Texas A & M.................. 296-304-600
11. North Texas.................. 302-298-600
13. Missouri....................... 305-297-602
14. New Mexico State........... 311-303-614
15. Nebraska...................... 313-309-622
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