Men’s Golf Falls One Shot Short Of Repeat

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ERIE, Colo. – The Oregon State men’s golf team battled until the final shot at the 15-team Mark Simpson Invitational on Tuesday, but fell one stroke short of repeating a tournament it won last season. Host Colorado and Washington State both finished with an 18-over 882 and shared the team title.

It’s the second consecutive third-place finish for the Beavers after opening their season in third at the Kikkor Husky Invitational in Bremerton, Wash., a week ago. In that tournament they finished behind Washington and Arizona State and ahead of four Pac-12 schools -- Oregon, USC, Washington State and Utah.

Amazing how different 3rd place feels today compared to a week ago. Good perspective to remember its about the process of getting better

— Jon Reehoorn (@JonReehoorn) September 24, 2013

The Beavers got out of the gate with a slow start as four of their golfers were over par through nine holes. But they didn’t give up and ended up shooting an even-par 288 in the final round of the two-day, 54-hole tournament to finish third with a 19-over 306-289-288--883 at the par-72, 7,741-yard Colorado National Golf Club.

The guys fought hard the last few holes and we managed to shoot even-par today, it looks like we will finish 3rd. 1 stroke behind WSU and CU

— Jon Reehoorn (@JonReehoorn) September 24, 2013

Oregon State won this event a year ago, in much better weather conditions, when it held off a late charge from Colorado to finish with a 21-under 284-277-282--843, which equaled the fifth-best score in school history.

Junior Alex Franklin had his best round of the tournament, a 1-under 71, to finish just outside the top 10 with a 4-over 74-75-71--220 and a tie for 11th place. Fellow newcomer Kevin Murphy played well for the second consecutive tournament, posting his first career top-10 finish -- sole seventh -- with a 2-over 75-71-72--218.

Senior David Fink was unable to card a birdie in Tuesday’s final round but still finished in 16th place with a 6-over 78-70-74--222, while junior Scott Kim finished in a tie for 20th with an 8-over 79-73-72--224 and sophomore Brian Jung was tied for 61st with a 16-over 84-75-73--232.

The Beavers have a couple of weeks off before returning to action Sunday, Oct. 6 to Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Erin Hills Invitational in Erin, Wis.