Michigan State University
UNCG Bridgestone
Gniewek Ties for First at UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 28, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sophomore Payne Gniewek became the fourth Michigan State men's golfer to post a first place finish during the fall season, as he tied for medalist honors today at the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate held at the Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. Gniewek's first career intercollegiate title helped the Spartans to a second place team finish, their fourth top-four placement in five fall events.
Gniewek fired a final round two-over par 74 to hold onto a tie with Notre Dame's Max Scodro at three-under par 213. Gniewek, who's best career finish came in his tie for sixth at last season's Western Intercollegiate, added three more birdies today - all over the final six holes - for a MSU tournament-best 12 over his 54 holes. He played the par-5s error-free this week, posting six birdies with no bogeys.Due to travel considerations, a playoff was not held.
"I am really proud of Payne," said head coach Sam Puryear. "He is our third guy this year to win an individual tournament. That says a lot about our team. It says a lot out youth. I'm excited that our kids are getting better. It is my goal for the kids that come into the program that they get better."
As a team, the Spartans finished four strokes behind tournament champion, Duke, and one shot ahead of in-state rival Michigan. MSU concluded play at nine-over par 873 (293-286-294). The UNCG Bridgestone field included seven of the nation's top-50 programs according to Golfweek/Sagarin, including the No. 22 Spartans.
"I am extremely proud of the team," said Puryear. "The guys have worked hard to get where we are this year. We have had the opportunity to play a lot of different tournaments against a lot of great teams. We have continued to improve each week and, as the scores indicated, we have been able to depend on every guy to pull his weight and shoot sub-par numbers."
Junior Jack Newman posted his second top-10 finish of the season, tying for ninth at two-over par 218 (69-77-72). Newman shot a team-low even par 72 today, which included three birdies, moving his tournament total to 10. He took advantage of his length, playing the par-5s at two-under par for the week.
Sophomore Graham Baillargeon recovered from a tough opening round to compile his third top-20 finish of the season. Baillargeon carded a final round two-over par 74 to finish in a tie for 13th at four-over par 220 (78-68-74). Senior Randy Hutchison matched Baillargeon's score today to move up a couple spots on the leaderboard, tying for 37th at nine-over 225 (77-74-74). Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Philip Snow finished up his first collegiate tournament in 63rd at 18-over par 234 (80-74-80).
Michigan State returns to action for its final tournament of the fall on Nov. 3-4, as it hosts the Rees Jones Intercollegiate in Daufuskie Island, S.C.
Players Mentioned
