May 10, 1998

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's golf team finished sixth at the Big Ten championship Sunday at Forest Akers West Golf Course, carding a 304 in the fourth round to end at 296-297-306-304=1203. The Spartans led the tournament after 39 holes and stood fourth after 54.

"The guys gave it their all," said MSU head coach Ken Horvath. "I was a little disappointed today, though. I thought they were pressing too much trying to make something happen, and we didn't make the turn very well. But they gave 100 percent and that's all you can ask for.

"I think this could be a turning point for this team," added Horvath. "They can look back at this weekend and say 'Hey, we played with these guys for two days.'

Indiana captured the team title, outlasting three-time defending champion Ohio State. The Hoosiers fired a 288 in the final round to finish at 302-296-291-288=1177,and also walked away with some hardware. Senior Randy Leen was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive time, while head coach Sam Carmichael was named Coach of the Year for 1998.

"I'm gonna enjoy this," said Carmichael. "The guys talked about winning on the way up here, and I thought they could do it. We pulled within five after the second round, but the third round was the key for us with Josh Brewer shooting 68. Our guys weren't intimidated and I'm just so proud of them."

MSU freshman Brent Goik (Bay City, Mich.) continued his solid play Sunday, striking a 73 to give him a 72-70-77-73=292 scorecard, good for a tie for fifth. Junior Matt Pumford (Saginaw, Mich.) also cracked the top 20, finshing tied for 15th at 73-76-74-78=301.

Ryan Armour of Ohio State walked away with individual medalist honors after posting a 72-73-72-70=287. He was the only golfer to break par for the weekend, finishing one-under. Josh Brewer of Indiana and Corey Sullivan of Indiana tied for second at 290.

"I played well individually," said Armour. "But the team trophy is what I was really looking for. Congratulations to Indiana, they have some great guys and they played well. They individual title is great and I don't want to downplay that, but I'm also disappointed for the team."

Minnesota's James McLean was named Freshman of the Year, and also won the Les Bolstad award for the lowest season stroke average.

1998 BIG TEN MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL RESULTS

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
                        1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
    1. Indiana          302 296 291 288 1177
    2. Ohio State       300 302 289 289 1180
    T3. Minnesota       302 303 290 293 1188
     Northwestern       296 309 301 282 1188
    5. Michigan         307 304 296 287 1194
    6. Michigan State   296 297 306 304 1203    
    7. Illinois         318 296 298 296 1208
    8. Wisconsin        309 308 304 295 1216
    9. Purdue           304 305 308 303 1220
    10. Iowa            307 311 301 302 1221
    11. Penn State      312 312 313 295 1232
    
    MSU Individuals
T5.     Brent Goik      72-70-77-73=292
T15.    Matt Pumford    73-76-74-78=301
T30.    John Ehrgott    80-73-77-75=305
T37.    Matt Riegel     73-79-78-79=309
46.     Alberto Quevedo 78-78-78-78=312

AWARD WINNERS

    Les Bolstad Award    
        James McLean, Minnesota (71.2)  (low season stroke average)
    Player of the Year   
        Randy Leen, Indiana
    Freshman of the Year 
        James McLean, Minnesota     
    Coach of the Year    
        Sam Carmichael, Indiana     
    All-Big Ten Team 
        Ryan Armour, Ohio State         
        Mike Austin, Ohio State
        Josh Brewer, Indiana
        Luke Donald, Northwestern
        Adam Dooley, Minnesota
        Michael Harris, Michigan
        Rob Kerr, Minnesota
        Randy Leen, Indiana
        James McLean, Minnesota
        D.A. Points, Illinois

FINAL INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
                                1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
    1.  Ryan Armour, OSU        72  73  72  70  287
    T2. Josh Brewer, IND        75  77  68  70  290
        Corey Sullivan, IND     72  73  72  73  290
    4.  Luke Donald, NW         74  75  75  67  291
    T5. Randy Leen, IND         77  72  73  70  292
        Brent Goik, MSU         72  70  77  73  292
    T7. Michael Harris, MICH    73  80  73  67  293      
        Adam Dooley, MINN       77  74  68  74  293
    T9. Jess Daley, NW          74  78  76  68  296
        James McLean, MINN      75  76  76  69  296
    11. Craig Matthew, OSU      75  77  67  78  298
    12. Matt Seppanen, NW       68  79  73  78  298
    T13. Mark Henderson, ILL    82  72  70  75  299      
        Ryan Cate, PUR          74  75  73  77  299
    T15. Rob Kerr, MINN         76  77  73  75  301
        D.A. Points, ILL        77  73  74  77  301
        Byron Clift, PSU        73  77  74  77  301
        Ryan Helminen, WIS      77  77  76  71  301
        Keith Hinton, MICH      77  76  72  76  301
        Matt Pumford, MSU       73  76  74  78  301
        Mike Austin, OSU        77  78  74  72  301
    22. Ed Parga, ILL           79  77  76  70  302
    T23. Jeff Barney, MINN      75  79  73  76  303
        Kevin Vernick, MICH     78  76  74  75  303
        Jason Wombacher, IOWA   73  75  79  76  303
    T26. Jeff Brown, OSU        78  77  76  73  304
        Matt Gerlach, WIS       79  80  74  71  304
        Michael Affeldt, MICH   79  75  77  73  304
        Albert Hromulak, OSU    76  75  79  74  304
    T30. John Ehrgott, MSU      80  73  77  75  305
        C.J. Brock, WIS         75  76  76  78  305
        Chris Englund, IOWA     78  78  74  75  305
        Erik Ciotti, NW         80  77  77  71  305
    T34. Larry Niger, ILL       80  74  79  74  307
        Bill Thompson, MINN     76  76  80  75  307
    36. Colby Huffman, PUR      77  78  75  78  308
    T37. Matt Riegel, MSU       73  79  78  79  309
        Scott Phillis, PSU      82  76  76  75  309
        Jim Lemon, WIS          78  78  78  75  309
        John Rhomberg, IOWA     78  81  77  73  309
    T41. Matt Stutzman, IOWA    80  78  71  81  310      
        Steve Wheatcroft, IND   78  74  83  75  310
        Ryan Chalfant, PUR      75  75  80  80  310
    T44. Jim Sudac, PUR         78  79  82  72  311
        Joey Chuasiriporn, PSU  81  83  77  70  311     
     46. Alberto Quevedo, MSU   78  78  78  78  312     
     T47. Bert Jones, PUR       80  77  80  76  313
        John Barry, IND         78  79  78  78  313
    T49. Scott Hayes, MICH      82  77  83  72  314
        David Shaffer, NW       82  79  77  76  314
    T51. Adam Turner, IOWA      78  80  82  78  318
        Matt Abbott, PSU        79  80  86  73  318
        John Carlson, WIS       80  77  79  82  318
    54. Brian Atkinson, ILL     85  80  78  81  324     
    55. Brad Kittsley, PSU      79  79  87  81  326