Michigan State University
Bruce Fossum/Spartan Invitational
Men's Golf takes Third at Fossum Invitational
4/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 29, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's golf team finished in third place Sunday at the 2001 Bruce Fossum/Teamgear.com Invitational, hosted by Michigan State University. As a team, Michigan State shot 863 (284-288-291). The Spartans finished 12 shots behind tournament champion Northwestern, which shot a team score of 851 (278-287-286). Northwestern's 851 broke the tournament record for the lowest team score. In 1992, Michigan State shot a team score of 868. Due to construction at Forest Akers West Golf Course, par was reduced from 72 to 71 for this year's tournament.
"We didn't accomplish all of our goals this week. I was pleased, however, with our finish considering the level of competition and the importance of this event," said Michigan State head coach Mark Hankins.
Northwestern senior Luke Donald fired a 64 in Sunday's final round to win the individual championship. Donald's first and second round numbers were also impressive. He shot a three-round total of 205 (69-72-64), which was good for eight strokes under par. Donald's performance was a tournament record as the previous best was 208.
The Spartans were led by senior co-captain Brent Goik (Bay City, Mich.) who fired a final round score of 71 on Sunday. Goik, who was named Big Ten golfer of the week last week, was the team's top performer this weekend and finished tied for fourth place. He shot a three-round score of 214 (72-71-71) and was one over par for the tournament. Goik's fourth-place finish gives him back-to-back top-five finishes.
Sophomore John Koskinen (Baraga, Mich.) also gave the Spartans a strong performance. Koskinen shot a three-round total of 215 (70-73-72) and finished in seventh place. Koskinen has been a key contributor to Michigan State's success this spring as he posted his second top-ten finish.
Sophomore Eric Jorgensen (Big Rapids, Mich.) provided the team with consistency throughout the weekend, firing a 217 (73-71-73) for the weekend.
Junior Nathan Clark, who shot a first-round score of 69, shot a final-round score of 79. Clark finished the tournament with a 221 (69-73-79).
Senior co-captain Dennis Riedel (St. Clair, Mich.), shot a final-round score of 75, after firing an uncharacteristic 160 in Friday's first two rounds.
The tournament was played at Forest Akers West Golf Course, a par 71, 6,764- yard layout, located on the campus of Michigan State University. The home of the Michigan State men's golf team, Forest Akers West, is known as one of the toughest golf courses in the Big Ten. The 2001 Bruce Fossum/Teamgearonline.com Invitational marks the 33rd year the tournament has been played.
Next week the Spartans will travel to Champaign, Ill.to compete in the 2001 Big Ten Championship.
Michigan State Individuals
T. 4 Brent Goik 72-71-71 = 214T. 7 John Koskinen 70-73-72 = 215T. 14 Eric Jorgensen 73-71-73 = 217T. 27 Nathan Clark 69-73-79 = 221T. 70 Dennis Riedel 80-80-75 = 235
*T. 12 J.J. Beckstrom 73-74-69 = 216*T. 68 Ben Fox 73-74-84 = 231*T. 69 Lorne Don 79-73-81 = 233
*Competed as Individuals
Teams
1. Northwestern 278-287-286 = 8512. Minnesota 293-281-287 = 8613. Michigan State 284-288-291 = 8634. Wisconsin 284-295-294 = 8735. Ohio State 298=294-295 = 8776. Iowa 292-285-303 = 8797. Kent State 297-290-294 = 8818.UNC Greensboro 294-291-297 = 882 Eastern Michigan 291-298-293 = 88210. Michigan 294-298-292 = 88411. Illinois 298-298-294 = 89012. Missouri 292-295-304 = 89113. Marshall 300-294-298 = 89214. Xavier 300-294-302 = 89615. Indiana 312-300-305 = 917
TOP Individuals
1.Luke Donald Northwestern 69-72-64 = 2052. Wilhelm Schauman Minnesota 68-69-70 = 2073. Chris Thayer Northwestern 64-72-73 = 2094. Brent Goik Michigan State 72-71-71 = 214
