SJU golf team finishes fourth at national tournament
May 14, 2010
The Saint John's University golf team finished fourth at the NCAA Division III national golf tournament Friday, May 14 at Hershey, Pa.
The Johnnies, playing in their 11th consecutive national tournament, finished in the top-four for the fourth time in that span (SJU won national titles in 2007 and 2008, and placed third in 2003). They have also placed eighth or higher nine times at the national meet.
Saint John's posted a closing round 291 (3-over-par) at the par-72 Hershey Links Golf Course, and recorded a 1,191 team total (+43) to finish fourth. Methodist University (N.C.) won the team title with a 1,177 total (+29), edging Huntingdon College (Ala.) by one stroke. Guilford College (N.C.) was third at 1,181 (+33).
Freshman Mark Giorgi (Red Wing, Minn.) and senior Ben Vangsness (Alexandria, Minn.) led the Johnnies. Both tied for 12th place individually with identical four-round totals of 294 (+7).
Giorgi shot a 3-under-par 69 Friday, carding the Johnnies best round of the tournament. He recorded six birdies during the round. Giorgi was the only SJU golfer to improve his score each day (80-74-71-69).
Vangsness, meanwhile, posted a 1-under-par round of 71 Friday. It was his second sub-par round of the tournament, and his last three rounds at the tournament were par or better (71-72-71).
Freshman Dennis Granath (Bandhagen, Sweden) shot a 79 (+7) Friday to finish tied for 35th individually with a four-day total of 301 (+14).
Medalist honors went to Tain Lee of Claremont Mudd Scripps, who shot a 280 (-7).
For a complete rundown of the Johnnies, please see www.gojohnnies.com.