Michigan State University
Big Red Classic
Men's Golf Captures Second at Big Red Classic
3/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
March 10, 2002
OCALA, Fla. -The Michigan State men's golf team finished second out of 16 teams Sunday (March 10) at the Big Red Classic in Ocala, Fla. The Spartans shot a three-round team score of 865, only three shots back of tournament champion Lamar.
"We were well prepared for this tournament," said Michigan State head coach Mark Hankins. "Our team depth was a big key."
Junior John Koskinen (Baraga, Mich.), who entered Sunday's final tied for first, finished the tournament in third place with a score of (68-74-73 = 215).
"We had high expectations going into this tournament," said Koskinen, who finished five shots behind individual champion Miles Maillet of Xavier.
Junior co-captain Eric Jorgensen (Big Rapids, Mich.), who finished with a score of (70-74-73 = 217), finished ninth overall. Senior co-captain Nathan Clark (Mason, Mich.) competed unattached and finished in 10th place with a score of (74-69-75 = 218).
Freshman Andrew Ruthkoski (Muskegon, Mich.), who finished tied for 12th place, recorded a (72-74-73 = 219) for the tournament. Sophomore Ben Fox (Fort Wayne, Ind.) was the fifth Spartan to place in the top-20. He carded a (70-73-79 = 222), good for a tie of 18th place.
Sophomore Casey Lubahn (Sand Lake, Mich.) shot a one-under par 71 Sunday. Lubahn finished with a weekend score of (75-78-71 = 224). Sophomore J.J. Beckstrom (North Muskegon, Mich.) rounded out the tournament with a (75-76-77=228).
Michigan State returns to action Friday, March 15, at the District Challenge in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
2002 Big Red ClassicLake Diamond Golf and Country ClubFinal Results (16 teams)
1. Lamar 286-285-291 8622. Michigan State 280-295-290 8653. Bowling Green 293-288-294 8754. Penn State 286-291-303 8805. Xavier 299-301-290 8906. Marshall 298-295-302 8957. Methodist 300-295-302 8978. Ohio 299-301-302 9029. Ball State 306-302-301 90910. James Madison 295-307-309 91111. Evansville 310-301-302 91312. Richmond 308-301-310 91913. IUPUI 310-313-302 92514. Indiana 319-306-304 92915. Akron 310-318-308 93616. Northern Illinois 307-326-323 956
Spartan Individuals
T 3 John Koskinen 68-74-73 = 215 9 Eric Jorgensen 70-74-73 = 217T 10 Nathan Clark 74-69-75 = 218T 12 Andrew Ruthkoski 72-74-73 = 219T 18 Ben Fox 70-73-79 = 222T 27 Casey Lubahn 75-78-71 = 224T 37 J.J. Beckstrom 75-76-77 = 228
