University of Minnesota Athletics
Justin Smith Finishes Second at Pro Event
10/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Former University of Minnesota All-American Justin Smith posted a 72-hole score of 8-under par 276 to tie for second place at the Miccosukee Championship on Oct. 18. The Miccosukee Championship, played at the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club in Miami, Fla., is an event on the Nationwide Tour. He fired rounds of 66-67-71-72 and was featured in much of the Golf Channel's final round coverage.
Smith has played in six Nationwide Tour events this season, despite not having tour status at the beginning of the season, and has made the cut in all but one. He has put together three top 25 finishes, including a pair of top 10's, and has amassed almost $80,000 in prize money. Smith has also spent time on the Hooters tour since his graduation from Minnesota in 2004.
A native of Moon Township, Pa., Smith was a three-time All-American (2002, 03, 04) at Minnesota who cemented the Gopher's 2002 NCAA title. He played in 48 tournaments in his career at the U and finished with a 73.16 stroke average, the fourth best career average in Gopher history. He carded 46 rounds under par in his career and collected 15 top-10 finishes, seven of which came during his senior season.
As a senior, Smith was in the Gopher lineup for all of the team's 12 events, and led the team with a career-best 72.25 stroke average, the fifth best single-season stroke average in Gopher history. He collected two Big Ten Golfer of the Week awards as a senior and was named All-Big Ten First Team following his junior and senior seasons and was also named to the ALL-NCAA Championship Team following his junior and senior seasons.
