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Golfers Begin Horizon League Championship
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April 26, 2004 The men's and women's golf teams will participate in the Horizon League Championship on April 26-27 at the Royal American Golf Links in Galena, Ohio. Royal American is an 18-hole, par 72 public course located near Columbus and plays as a 6,859 yard course for the men and 6,100 yard course for the women.
Obush Leads Women's Squad Into Championship Kristen Obush (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) paced the Vikings, carding a 245 (83-83-79) for a fifth-place tie. Lori Hatcher of Youngstown State earned individual medallist honors with a 235 (77-80-78), leading the Penguins to the team title with a 981 (328-331-322). "We're heading into this year's tournament hoping to surprise some people," head coach Tom Porten said. "Kristen has a good chance to get medalist honors if she is at the top of her game and will make us competitve as a team."
Men Hope to Remain Successful Against the League Wright State (293-289-292) beat out Butler (287-290-297) in a playoff for the team title after both teams finished the three rounds with scores of 874. Butler's Jeff Chapman claimed medalist honors, posting a 213 (68-70-75). "We've been making small strides from tournament to tournament," Porten said. "Our short game has been improving, and, as long as we have confidence in that, we will be in the running for the championship." The Vikings have proven to be competitive against Horizon League opponents this spring. In the last four tournaments, CSU has been one of the top Horizon League schools in the final standings, with league-best showings coming at the Cleveland State Invitational (April 2-3) and the Belmont Invitational (April 5-6). Cleveland State won the league championship in 1998 at Bear Slide Golf Club in Cicero, Ind. Under coach Porten, CSU recorded a 917 (305-310-302) for top honors at the 6,533 yard, par 71 course.
Houle Fires 215 for Medalist Honor "Everything just came together for Billy," head coach Tom Porten said. "He just outplayed everyone. There was no one better on the course. It was a textbook three rounds." Houle's effort marks his second career tournament win. He shared the individual title with teammate Christian Komsa at the 2002 Cleveland State Invitational at Legend Lake Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio. Freshman Mike Rutgers (Kingsville, Ont./Cardinal Carter) finished with a 238 (82-79-77), while freshman Ben Grandy (Southgate, Mich./Gabriel Richard) and junior Jim Weikamp (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) recorded totals of 243. Eastern Kentucky dominated the field for the team title, shooting a tournament-best 898 (297-304-297). "We had a simple plan heading into the spring," Porten said. "Our goal was to improve with each tournament we played in, and we have done that. Everyone is buying into that and, because of it, we are strong heading into the league championship."
Women End Regular Season at Ashland Sophomore Kristen Obush paced the Vikings for the seventh time this season, carding a 160 (78-82) for seventh place. Sophomore Mollie Porter carded a career-low 82 in the opening round and finished with a 176 (82-94) for a 23rd-place tie, while junior Nancy Bowling finished three shots behind Porter with a 179 (91-88) for a 26th-place tie. Grand Valley State posted a tournament-best 628 (321-307) to win by 15 strokes while Ferris State's Heidi Aittama recorded a six-over 148 (74-74) to earn individual medalist honors.
Weikamp Earns Economics Scholarship "This is a big honor for Jim," Porten said. "He has always been exceptional academically and will continue to succeed in his future endeavors." Weikamp is in his second season with the men's golf team and holds an 82.1 average.
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