University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Gophers Place at European PGA Tour Stop
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Former Gopher golfers Antti Ahokas, Bronson La’Cassie, James McLean, and Wilhelm Shauman all took part in the European PGA Tour’s Sportsbet Australian Masters over the weekend. Ahokas, McLean, and Shauman all placed in the tournament, which took place at Huntingdale Golf Course in Melbourne, Australia.
Ahokas finished the tournament in a tie for 48th place following rounds of 74-71-71-73, respectively, in the 72-hole event. This marked Ahokas’ second highest finish in European PGA Tour action, behind the 34th place finish at the 2007 Joburg Open.
Despite only competing in four tournaments while at Minnesota, Ahokas managed to place in the top-six in each event. He also carded the best individual round of 2006, shooting 6-under par in the second round of the Gopher Invitational.
McLean, the 1998 NCAA Individual Champion, finished in a tie for 51st with rounds of 75-69-72-74 for the weekend. McLean was a two-time All-America while at Minnesota, and holds the top scoring average in a season and career in school history at 70.89 and 71.49, respectively. He also holds the school record for 18-hole score at 63 as well as the 72-hole score of 271, which came at the aforementioned 1998 NCAA Championships.
Wilhelm Shauman shot a 291 for the tournament, earning him 56th place with cards of 76-69-73-73. He finished his career at Minnesota with the fourth-best season scoring average in school history at 72.19 strokes. Shauman was also named an All-American in 2001.
Bronson La’Cassie missed the cut in the tournament after rounds of 77 and 72, respectively. La’Cassie won the 2006 Western Amateur and finished as the only four- time All-American in Gopher history. He was named first team All-Big Ten four times in his career and holds a career stroke average of 72.48, which ranks second on Minnesota’s all-time list.
