March 11, 2008
Results
ONEONTA, Ala. -
The Illinois State men's golf team fired a three-round-total of 893 (297, 295, 301) on its way to an eighth place finish at the Samford Intercollegiate, hosted by Samford at the par-72, 6,987 yard Limestone Springs Golf Club. Sophomore Tommy Bliefnick led the Redbirds finishing in a 23rd place tie after recording a three-round-total of 222 (73, 74, 75).
"I believe we are playing much better golf than in the fall," said head coach Ray Kralis. "We were a score away from a really solid team effort in both rounds two and three. It was difficult to let two or three holes slip away at the end of round two this morning, but I am pleased to see more guys posting key rounds."
Four Redbirds finished the 56-hole event in the top-50. Redshirt sophomore Joe Emerich (74, 78, 74) and freshman Jeff Kellen (75, 72, 79) each tied for 36th and recorded three-round-totals of 226. Junior Ben Murphy tied for 44th after recording a three-round-total of 228 (75, 71, 82), and Drew Miller rounded out ISU's scoring tallying a 232 (78, 81, 73).
New Orleans earned the team victory after recording a three-round-team-total of 860 (289, 288, 283). The Privateers finished three strokes better than Eastern Kentucky who posted a three-round-team-total of 863 (288, 285, 290). Josh Gallman of USC Upstate earned individual-medalist honors after recording a three-round-total of 208 (69, 71, 68).
The Redbirds do not return to action until Monday-Tuesday, March 31-April 1, when they will compete in the Branson Creek Invitational, hosted by Missouri Valley Conference rival Missouri State at the Branson Creek Golf Club in Branson, Mo. Tee times have yet to be announced.
