For the Eastern Michigan University men's golf team, it came down to the last shot of the tournament before the Eagles could be crowned as the 2008 Mid-American Conference champions.
With Eastern trailing by one shot heading into the final threesome of the three-day, 72-hole tournament at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio, May 4, the Eagles' Peter Sauerbrei completed his round with a par on the par four 18th. His Kent State opponent, David Ludlow, then missed a bogey putt and had to settle for a six to give Eastern Michigan the one-stroke victory, 1,171-1,172.
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KINGS OF THE LINKS: (above, from left) Head
Coach
Bruce Cunningham and members of the Eastern
Michigan University men's golf team celebrate their
second consecutive Mid-American Conference title.
The Eagles outlasted Kent State, winning by one
stroke at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio,
May 4. |
"I knew it was really tight coming into the last threesome," said EMU Men's Head Golf Coach Bruce Cunningham. "All we wanted Pete (Sauerbrei) to do was hit it to the middle of the green on the last hole and he did that, hitting it a little short of his target on the green. He had perfect pace and speed on the double-breaker putt, and he was able to get it close enough for the tap in and put the pressure on the Kent State player to make his putt."
Sauerbrei, who finished the tournament in second at 287 (71-71-75-70), was uncertain where the Eagles stood heading into the last hole, but he also knew it was a tight race for the title.
"I thought I had to make the first putt," Sauerbrei said. "I just wanted to give it a chance for birdie and it was close. It was a perfect way to win, it was awesome."
For Cunningham, it was the team's second consecutive MAC title and the second in school history for the Eagles. Cunningham also won the MAC Coach of the Year honor for the second straight season. By winning the MAC title, the Eagles will advance to their second straight NCAA Regional Tournament. The Eagles earned a bid to the NCAA Central Regional, to be played at Ohio State University's Scarlet Golf Course in Columbus, Ohio, May 15-17.
After rolling to first place after the first two rounds May 2, the Eagles fell back a place to hold down second — four strokes behind Kent State — heading into the final 18 holes.
The Eagles quickly made up the difference on the front nine May 4, rallying for a four-shot lead heading into the final nine holes. Kent State refused to buckle, however, roaring back to take a one-shot lead heading into the final pairing of the day.
That left it up to Sauerbrei who handled the pressure to help the Eagles record the win. For his clutch performance, Sauerbrei was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team. The Eagles' Graham Hill was named First Team All-MAC and teammate Christopher Ross made the second team.
Following Sauerbrei for the Eagles were: Ross, in sixth at 292 (74-73-73-72); Marty Jeppesen, tied for seventh at 294 (74-72-75-73); Hill, the defending MAC medalist, tied for 14th at 298 (77-72-76-73); and Brad Larente, tied for 37th at 313 (81-79-76-77).
Following Eastern and Kent State in the final standings were: Ball State, third at 1,194 (297-301-296-300); Toledo, fourth at 1,203 (306-310-294-293); Akron, fifth at 1,204 (299-305-299-301); Miami, sixth at 1,206 (301-303-306-296); Ohio, seventh at 1,207 (294-299-308-306); Bowling Green, eighth at 1,210 (303-304-305-298); and Northern Illinois, ninth at 1,216 (299-305-305-307).
