University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Fighting Irish Classic
Gophers Tie for Third, Bell for Fifth
9/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 27, 2011
Fighting Irish Classic - Final 
Despite golfing in pouring rain throughout their final round of the Fighting Irish Classic, the Golden Gophers still managed to post the best team third-round score, even better than teams that finished after the rain stopped. Minnesota finished in a tie for third place after starting the day tied for fourth. Robert Bell led the Gophers, finishing tied for fifth.
Minnesota's team score today was 291 (+11). The team race was a close one, as St. Mary's and Houston tied for first at 870, just three strokes better than the Gophers and Texas-Arlington. It came down to the final six holes, which the other teams played after the rain subsided. The last time Minnesota finished this high in a tournament was the 2009 Gopher Invitational.
"We played well," head coach John Carlson said. "It was just pouring the whole time. It was a tough day."
Bell's finish this week is a new career best for him, as well as his best tournament score to par. He finished with a combined score of 214 (+4) after shooting an even-par 70 today. Medalist Paul McConnell of Texas-Arlington finished at even for the tournament. For the Gophers, Erik Van Rooyen and Jon Trasamar tied for 11th. Van Rooyen shot a 73 today, and Trasamar a 76. David Haley Jr. tied for 36th (225) after posting a 72 today. Tim Peterzen (t-42nd at 227) shot a third round of 76.
The Gophers will be in action again at the N.C. State Invitational from Oct. 3-4, next Monday and Tuesday.
Players Mentioned
