Sophomore Brian Anderson led the way for the Illinois State mens golf team with a top five placement in competition at the ASU Indian Classic in Jonesboro, Ark. Anderson finished out the tournament with a season-best 215 (72-72-71) three-round stroke total, en route to the highest individual placement for the Redbirds in a two-man tie for 5th.
Sophomore Walter Brown was the next highest Redbird finisher, making the top 20 in his second outing of the season. Brown turned in a three-round total of 223 (74-72-77) strokes, to place in a tie for 19th. Following Brown was senior B.J. Brown who finished the tourney tied for 29th after shooting a total of 226 (73-77-76) in the three rounds played. Senior Nic Baker and freshman Kyle Vasel rounded out the Illinois State crew with Baker finishing in 38th (75-74-79=228), and Vasel coming in at 70th (83-81-81=245).
Sophomore Denny Bull, who competed in the tournament as an individual, finished in a tie for 55th (74-82-78=234).
As a team the Redbirds dropped one place from the first day of play to finish the tourney in 7th-place out of 13 teams. The Birds posted a team total of 892 (294-295-303) strokes.
Taking the team title for the competition was tournament host Arkansas State University, who finished with 869 (290-290-289) strokes. Arkansas edged out second place finisher University of South Alabama by one stroke to take the title. The University of South Alabama finished with an 870 (288-285-297). Finishing in third place was the University of Missouri (291-295-286=872), followed by Arkansas-Little Rock (299-297-289=885) in fourth. The University of North Texas (291-297-301=889) rounded out the top five with their fifth place finish.
Gareth Maybin, of the University of South Alabama, was the individual medalist of the tournament finishing with a three-round total of 210 (68-70-72).
The Redbirds resume competitive golf action when they travel to Huntley, Ill. for the Illinois Intercollegiate April 21-22.
