University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Finish Second to Stanford at Gopher Invitational
9/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
The University of Minnesota men's golf team finished second to Stanford at the second annual Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minn. The Cardinal fired a final round 297 despite windy and cold conditions to win head coach Conrad Ray's first tournament as a collegiate coach. Stanford edged the Gophers by five shots and SMU by seven for the title.
Zack Miller of Stanford and Colt Knost of SMU shared medalist honors at 2-under-par 214. Miller made up four shots in the final round on Knost with an even par 72. Gopher senior Bronson La'Cassie finished a shot back in third.
"Being from Minnesota this win is extra special," Ray said. "Its my first win ever as a head caoch and its my senior captain's first ever individual win, it coudn't get much better. This is a great tournament to start the year, its the best golf course, accomodations that we see all year. I just want to thank everyone here for this opportunity."
The Gophers La'Cassie fired a 73 on Sunday, but couldn't get the putts to role in until it was too late. The whole Minnesota team just couldn't get anything going in the final round as Victor Almstrom shot his third straight 75 and senior Niall Turner, freshman Ben Pisani and sophomore Andy Paulson each carded a 78. Turner, the defending champ, recorded a top-10 finish with a tie for seventh at 5-over 221. Almstrom tied for 11th at 9-over 225, Paulson tied for 36th at 233 and Pisani, playing in his first collegiate tournament, tied for 48th at 238.
Junior Clayton Rask, playing as an individual, finished ninth at 7-over 223.Sophomores Robbie Kelley and Patrick Datz tied for 36th at 233, Kelley carded a final round 74. Freshman Thomas Campbell was 53rd at 240 and freshman David Daly and junior Micheal Fielder tied for 54th at 241.
Players Mentioned
