Michigan State University
Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic
Hutchison Wins Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic; MSU Third
10/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 7, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Randy Hutchison ended the day with a birdie-eagle-par finish on the final three holes, to earn him his first collegiate individual title, this afternoon at the Fighting Irish Gridrion Classic, held at the Warren Golf Course. Hutchison topped the field by one stroke with a three-round total of even par 210 (69-72-69), setting a new personal best 72-hole mark.
As a team, the Spartans finished third at 31-over par 871 (287-296-288), after a final round eight-over 288. MSU has placed in the top-four in all three events so far this fall. Arkansas won the tournament with a 23-over par 863 (287-293-283), followed by UC Davis at 27-over par 867 (293-294-280).
"I am really excited for Randy," said Michigan State head coach Sam Puryear. "He made a great par on the 18th to seal the win. He put in a lot of hard work this summer and fall, and it showed in the last two days. However, I still believe the best is yet to come for Randy.
"I am also really excited about how the team performed. I am proud of all our guys. This tournament had a quality field and we played some quality golf. We continue to get better each tournament, getting a step closer to our ultimate goal."
Hutchison, who began the day in a three-way tie for first, bogeyed the first and seventh holes to drop him back of the leader. However, after a run of eight-straight pars, he birdied the par-4 16th and eagled the par-5 17th to put him back in the lead. The day ended with a tough par on the par 4 18th to seal his first win. Hutchison, who was the only participant with two sub-par rounds, led all golfers in par 5 scoring this week at four-under and was also second in par 4 scoring at one-over. Hutchison is the second-straight Spartan to win this tournament, as Ryan Brehm took home the trophy last fall.
Junior Jack Newman rebounded from a tough second round to card a two-over par 72 today, moving him up into a tie for 15th at nine-over 219 (69-78-72). Senior Jordan Ensrud ended the two days in a tie for 22nd at 12-over par 222 (74-73-75). Ensrud led all golfers this week with 37 pars.
The sophomore pair of Graham Baillargeon and Payne Gniewek rounded out the Spartan five. Baillargeon posted a five-over 75 today to put him in a tie for 29th at 14-over 224 (76-73-75). Meanwhile, Gniewek, who totaled a 15-over 225 (75-78-72), tied Newman for the second-best MSU round of the day, shooting a two-over 72. His round moved him up 29 spots into a tie for 34th. Freshman Chris Mory, making his collegiate debut, participated as an individual, finishing with a 34-over 244 (74-82-88).
The Spartans return to action next Monday and Tuesday for the The Prestige, hosted at the Greg Norman Course at PGA West in Palm Springs, Calif.
Players Mentioned
