“The University of Akron golf team secured its place in school history Monday, capturing a record third win of the season at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate tournament in Indiana. Four Zips golfers placed in the top five, propelling the team to a first-place score of 616.”
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The University of Akron golf team secured its place in school history Monday, capturing a record third win of the season at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate tournament in Indiana.
Four Zips golfers placed in the top five, propelling the team to a first-place score of 616.
The win gave the Zips the most wins in a season in the program’s 50 year history.
Second-place Miami (Ohio) finished 18 strokes back with a final score of 634.
Sophomore Brad Wright led all golfers with a score of eight-over par (150). He was the lone golfer to shoot a round below-par, an opening-round 68 and was named Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Week, the second-consecutive week Wright has earned the honor.
Junior Colin Clemente finished with a third-place 156, his third top-five performance of the season.
Senior Blake Sattler and junior Ryan Gutowski tied for fourth at 157.
The 54-hole tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to inclement weather. Coach Tom Porten believes those conditions gave his team a significant edge on the course.
This is the worst extended weather pattern I’ve seen in 15 years of coaching, he said. But we’re definitely conditioned for it. Being from this area makes you tougher, and we have a bunch of unique young men who are able to phase out the weather and just focus on making their next shot.
The Zips will host a tri-match against Kent State and Miami (Ohio) April 22. The first round of the tournament will be played at Windmill Lakes and the final round will played at Firestone Country Club. Porten remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances.
We’ve never won our home event, and doing so would definitely be a dream scenario, he said. But we have to take things one day at a time. These guys are playing great golf right now, and I know they’re hungry for a win. We just can’t get a big head out there.
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” #1.1362069:2214694924.jpg:Brad_Wright__2_.jpg:Brad Wright lines up a put on his way to a first-place finish. The Zips won a record third title last weekend.:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”