LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY MEN'S GOLF PAGE
Ashland University's men's golf team put two strong rounds together at the Ohio Valley University Spring Championship in Byesville, Ohio.
The result for the Eagle men was a team championship and an individual medalist following the 36-hole event on Thursday (March 29) and Friday (March 30). Ashland finished with a two-day team total of 289-295—584.
It is the Eagles' first team championship since Sept. 10, 2012 at the one-day, 36-hole Ohio Dominican Invitational.
"The guys not only played a great round, their mental game was the key for the two days," said Ashland head coach Logan Cooke. "Between the sopping-wet course, 60 and rain the whole first day, and then play in 35 degrees and snow for the first few hours the second day, they came in with the right mental approach, and it showed in their games."
Junior Austin Kondratick continues as the Eagles' individual leader, earning medalist honors at 68-75—143.
"Austin is a leader," Cooke said. "He is always mentally prepared, and has the right tools to go with it. It was just a matter of time for him to break through and get a win. He wanted to be on that golf course playing in those conditions like the rest of my guys.
"For Austin to go into the second day with the lead has its positives and negatives. You don't want to think about it and just continue playing and not worry about making a mistake. There were a few times where he could have let it go, but he stuck to his game plan and kept grinding it out. He made three 12-foot par putts on his last three holes to keep him under par for the tournament. He knew the tournament was on the line, and made some big putts."
Kondratick was the leader of an impressive team effort. Senior Chandler Walnsch was just three shots behind Kondratick at 74-72—146 to finish second overall, and freshman Ben Jones was just four shots back at 71-76—147 to place third. Junior Cole Smith finished at 76-73—149 to end in a tie for fifth place, while sophomore Patrick Steffen concluded the tournament at 76-75—151.
Freshman Hunter Lowder ended at 77-79--158, while junior Frank Steffen concluded at 77-83-160.
UP NEXT: Ashland will begin April with the two-day Mount Vernon Golf Invitational at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on Friday (April 6) and Saturday (April 7).
AU
MGOLF/DS