University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Finishes 11th at Gopher Invitational
9/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 12, 2011
The weather played a huge role during the final round of the seventh annual Gopher Invitational. Only six players managed to record a score under par, as Spring Hill Golf Club played much longer today than its 7,020 yardage thanks to a stiff wind.
Minnesota struggled during the final round and finished in 11th place with a 54-hole score of 907. Junior Erik Van Rooyen played very consistent golf for John Carlson's squad with rounds of 72-75-74 to finish in a tie for 12th place. Fellow junior Robert Bell carded the round of the day for the Gophers with an even-par round score of 72 and finished in a tie for 14th place.
The Gophers' lineup also included freshman Tyler Lowenstein (T-45th), junior David Haley Jr. (T-52nd) and junior Shang Zhi (T-63rd). John Trasamar, one of five Minnesota players to compete as an individual, tied Lowenstein in 45th. Other Gophers playing as individuals were Tim Peterzen (T-58th), Colton Buege (T-58th), Genki Hirayama (T-71st) and Alex Gaugert (73rd).
The University of Arkansas overcame a four-shot deficit to win its first Gopher Invitational team title with a 54-hole combined score of 880 (+16). The Razorbacks, playing in their fifth-straight Gopher Invitational, were led by Ethan Tracy's fifth place individual finish. North Texas started the day in a tie for third place but was able to surpass Notre Dame late in the day to finish second, three shots behind Arkansas.
The Irish finished third followed by SMU and Charlotte. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished just outside the top five as a team but managed to place first and second on the individual leaderboard. Chris Brant fired the low round of the day to move up six spots and claim medalist honors by one stroke over his teammate Barrett Kelpin and Lamar's Kevin Hesbois.
The Gophers are off until taking part in the Fighting Irish Classic Sept. 26-27 at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course in South Bend, Ind.
Players Mentioned
