Griffith Sets 54-Hole Record | Oilers Finish Runner-Up
Indianapolis, Ind. – The University of Findlay men's golf team was unable to mount a comeback on the final day of the Brickyard Invitational on Tuesday, September 29 as they finished runner-up with a 54-hole score of 865 (+1), 12 shots behind the host University of Indianapolis. Findlay wrapped up the tournament with a score of 294 (+6), their highest of the three-rounds.
Although it was not the comeback the Oilers hoped for, the day was not without highlights. Findlay, which is currently ranked 15th in the country in GolfStat's rankings, finished ahead of two teams that actually rank above the Oilers in those rankings. Findlay finished ahead of seventh-ranked Lee University by four shots, was 18 shots ahead of Missouri St. Louis, which was a top-25 team last season, and defeated tenth-ranked Oklahoma Christian by 23 shots.
Along with those victories, Findlay's 54-hole score of 865 ranks third-best in program history, just one shot off the program record.
One record that did fall was Findlay's individual 54-hole mark that had stood since 2008. Senior Sam Griffith, who finished in solo second in the event, shot a 208 (-8) to set the new Oilers three-round mark both relative to par and total strokes. He passed Joe McGeean who shot a 209 (-4) at Northern Michigan in 2008. His score is also the second-best in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) history. Griffith used a final-round 71 to set the new mark. His 14 birdies over the last two days were third-most in the event.
Junior Tanner Grzegorcyzk got back on track this week with a top-ten finish, firing a final round 72 (E) that included five birdies and five bogeys to finish with a 217 (+1) on the week.
Freshman Justin Atkinson struggled down the stretch, shooting a 41 in Tuesday's back nine, to shoot a 78 (+6). That gave the newcomer a 222 (+6) for the week and a tie-17th finish.
Finishing in a tie for 26th was junior Caleb Westfall who rebounded after a first round 81 (+9) to shoot 225 (+9) for the event. Close behind was senior Luke Kelly who ended the tournament in a tie for 28th with a final-round 78 (+6) to finish at 226 (+10).
Competing as an individual, freshman Donnie Professori ended his second career tournament in a tie for 22nd at 224 (+8) that included a final-round 72 (E).
Another highlight for the Oilers came on the seventh hole where senior Parker Haynes made his first career hole-in-one, a 176-yard seven iron (VIDEO). Haynes recorded an 80 (+8) on the day and finished the tournament in a tie for 40th at 231 (+15). Close behind was senior Brock Kehres who finish in a tie for 45th with a 233 (+17).
The Oilers will return to action with their final event of the fall on October 5 and 6 when they travel to Tiffin for the annual Kyle Ryman Invitational.