Men's Golf Finishes Eighth at Inverness Intercollegiate

Sept. 23, 2014

TOLEDO, Ohio - Michigan State men's golf shot a 28-over-par 312 in the third and final round of the Inverness Intercollegiate Tuesday to take eighth with a total score of 909 (310-287-312). The 11-team event was held at the par 71, 7,300-yard Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

"We have to learn how to control our bad moments and not let it affect us for a whole round," said MSU head coach Casey Lubahn. "We have it in us to play good. We definitely showed that with a great second round, but we have to fight for 54 holes. What we saw in the second round was pretty much what we see in practice."

East Tennessee State took the overall title with an 878 (265-294-299), while South Florida finished second with a score of 880 (293-286-301). Alabama Birmingham had the best score of the third round, shooting a 293.

Sophomore Gareth Lappin was the top finisher for the Spartans, carding a 7-over 78 in the third round to finish tied for 20th place. He had an overall score of 13-over 226 (74-74-78). Lappin has now finished in the top-20 four times in his MSU career. Junior Mitch Rutledge had the best third-round score for Michigan State with a five-over 76 on Tuesday. Rutledge ended the tournament tied for 24th place with a 15-over 228 (81-71-76).

Sophomore Sam Weatherhead posted an 8-over 79 in the third round to finish the tournament in 23rd place with a 14-over 227 (79-69-79). Fellow sophomore Charlie Netzel was tied for 31st at 231 (79-73-79). Redshirt-sophomore Gates Muller completed the Michigan State group with a 242 (78-80-84), which placed him in 54th place.

The lowest score of the third round came from East Tennesse State's Adrian Meronk who recorded a 1-under 70 to win the individual title.

"Notre Dame is a place that we're comfortable and a place where we've had success (won 2012 Fighting Irish Classic, placed runner-up last year). We need to get this feeling out of our system and go battle next weekend. We're excited to hit the road again on Friday," Lubahn said.

The Spartans are not done competing this week, traveling to South Bend, Ind., for the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic Sept. 28-30, hosted by Notre Dame. The tournament will be held at the Warren Golf Course.