Men's Golf

Men's Golf: Big Red completes best tourney since 2004; Falls to JCU by One

Kyle Bates fired a 1-under-par, 70 on Sunday helping the Big Red to their best finish since 2004.

Date: October 7, 2007
Location: GRANVILLE

Freshman Kyle Bates (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) carded a one-under par 70 and Kenny Smaga (Hudson, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) fired a 72 to complete the best 36-hole tournament by a Denison men's golf team since September of 2004. Despite the array of stellar rounds the Big Red fell just short of capturing the title as they finished one stroke off the pace set by John Carroll University.

John Carroll and Denison entered the final round tied at 294. John Carroll's Joey Buescher, who fired a first round low, 68 did not even have to count his 75 on Sunday. Instead the Blue Streaks got rounds of 73 from their third, fourth and fifth men and were helped by a one-over par, 72 by Paul Schroeder.

For Denison, Bates enjoyed his best tournament of the fall, finishing in a tie for second overall with Nick Bryan of Baldwin-Wallace. He carded birdies on the first, eighth and 18th holes. Lucas Murray of Mount Union was the medalist at 140 (70, 70).

Following Bates was Frank Steinberg (Flemington, N.J./Rutgers Prep) who shot 148 (71, 77). Ryan Brady (Sandusky, Ohio/St. Mary's Central Catholic) was tied for 14th overall with his 149 (76, 73) and Smaga rebounded nicely from his opening round 79 with a season-best 72 on Sunday. Freshman Bryan Kay (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) rounded out the Denison scorers with a 156 (76, 80).

The Denison Fall Classic concludes the fall tournament season for the Big Red. They will return to action in March.

Denison Fall Classic (FINAL RESULTS)