March 25, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State junior golfer Joe Emerich, and Wichita State's Connor McHenry were named Co-Missouri Valley Conference Golfer's of the Week, as announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon. Emerich won the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate after he fired a 1-under-par 215 (74-68-73) and lead the Illinois State men's golf team to a third-place finish.
"Joe (Emerich) managed himself very well on a golf course that tests your patience and composure from start to finish," said head coach Ray Kralis. "He was very comfortable playing with the lead and proved he is a strong front-runner by increasing that gap during the final round. To win by four against a strong 16-team field is very impressive."
In the opening round of the three-day, 54-hole event, Emerich shot a 2-over-par 74, ending the day tied for 11th place. On the second day of competition, the Palatine, Ill., native fired a 4-under-par 68 on the par-72 course and took a three stroke lead into the final round. Emerich's 68 was the low round of the tournament.
Emerich tallied a 1-over-par 73 in the final round and won the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate by four strokes. Emerich was the only competitor to finish the tournament in red figures. This marks Emerich's first career win and second top-three finish.
The next stop for the Redbirds will be in the UALR/First Tee Collegiate Classic at Branson Creek Golf Club, March 30-31, in Branson, Mo.
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