The Eastern Michigan University men's golf team recorded
its first-ever conference championship by winning the 2007
Mid-American Conference Championships May 5 at the par-72,
7,216-yard Medallion Club at Westerville, Ohio.
Eastern Michigan junior Graham Hill (Brights Grove, Ontario-Northern
Collegiate (Indiana (Pa.)) compiled a 277 (70-71-67-69)
to cruise to the four-stroke individual victory. Hill's
win marks the first time an EMU student-athlete has claimed
medalist honors in the 60-year history of the conference
tournament.
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LEADERS ON THE LINKS: The Eastern Michigan
University men's golf team captured the Mid-
American
Conference title May 5 at Medallion Club in
Westerville,
Ohio. The Eagles shot a low score of
1,138 to edge
runnerup Akron, which scored 1,141. |
With the win, the Eagles captured the league's automatic
berth to the NCAA East Regional, May 17-19, at The Golf
Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga. The win was the Eagles'
second of the year and the first since the squad claimed
the title at the Cleveland State Invitational, Sept. 11-12,
2006.
Eastern Michigan, which had a low score of 1,138, ended
Kent State's two-year reign as conference champions. The
Golden Flashes finished in third place with a 72-hole total
of 1,147 while Akron came in second with a score of 1,141.
Overall, the championship marks the sixth MAC team title
that EMU has won during the 2006-07 campaign. Other EMU
sports to claim the conference's top spot this year include:
women's gymnastics, men's swimming and diving, women's
swimming and diving, men's cross country and men's indoor
track.
Heading into the final 18 holes May 5, the Zips held a
five-stroke lead over the Eagles. But the momentum shifted,
as EMU finished the final round at one-over par 289, while
Akron carded a nine-over 297. For the tournament, the Green
and White fired a 1,138 (285-290-274-289) to equal the
school-record for the best 72-hole tournament total previously
set during the 2005 championship, which also took place
at the Medallion Club.
Hill won the tournament with a score of 277 (70-71-67-69)
and was named Player of the Year and made the All-MAC Tournament
Team and All-MAC First Team. It is the fourth win of his
career and the second this season.
Sophomore Chris Ross (Dundas, Ontario-Parkside) tied for
fourth place with a three-under 285 (71-72-70-72) to also
earn All-Tournament accolades and All-MAC Second Team.
Senior Bryan Haase (Interlochen, Mich.-Interlochen (Lansing
C.C)) finished at even par with a 288 (72-71-70-75), which
earned him a spot on the All-MAC Second Team.
Freshman Cam Burke (Baden, Ontario-Waterloo Secondary)
added a 292 (72-76-67-77) and redshirt freshman Brandon
Lemons (Portage, Mich.-Portage Central) finished in a tie
for 30th after shooting a 298 (74-78-73-73).
EMU's Bruce Cunningham was named MAC Coach of the Year.
