NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. - The Western Illinois men's golf team finished up play at the Fairway Club Invitational on Tuesday (Sept. 11). Dan Bidle would lead the way for Western with a three-round total of 224 (73,74,77), to put him in a tie for 9th place. The event was played at the Arbor Links Golf Course and hosted by the University of Nebraska.
"Dan Bidle, who played as individual, had an outstanding tournament" said head coach Mel Blasi, "He played very steady and his experience really showed. He was under the weather the last day or he may have had an even better finish. We will really need Dan's leadership and experience as one of our top 5 players in the future."
Western would finish in 10th place overall as a team with a three-round total of 942. The Leathernecks shot 319 as a team in round one, 311 in round two and closed out play with a 312 on Tuesday.
Host Nebraska edged out Illinois State University by one stroke, winning the tournament with an overall score of 899. Illinois State finished second with a score of 900 followed by former Summit League member Oral Roberts with a 902. Rounding out the top five is Missouri State with a 908 and fellow Summit League member South Dakota State with a 911.
Individually for the Leathernecks, Ben Kilborn tied for 31st place with a three-day total of 233 (77,77,79). Just behind Kilborn in a tie for 37th place is Sophomore Tyler Thorman. Thorman shot a three-day total of 234 (82,77,75).
Nate Davis tied for 56th place overall with a three-round total of 240 (80,81,79). Coming in a stroke behind Davis is true-freshman Alex Templin. Playing in his first career tournament, Templin carded a three-round total of 242 (82,80,79) to put him in 59th place. Rounding out individual play for Western is Peter McKenzie. The junior had a three-round total of 242 (80,77,75), to put him in a tie for 60th place.
"The Nebraska Invitational was a real
learning experience for the men's golf team" said Blasi, "We played with two
freshmen and two sophomores and the conditions were very difficult, with wind gusts
in the mid 30mph range... It's nice however to get that first tournament out of
the way and get into the season... We are a young team and we will continue
to improve and get better as we play under these conditions."
Western will next be in action on September 22, as they
travel to Normal, Illinois for the Illinois State Redbird Invitational.
