Michigan State University
Illinois (Big Ten Match Play Third Place)
Spartans Place Third at Big Ten Match Play Championship
2/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 15, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's golf team finished third at the inaugural Big Ten Match Play Championship on Saturday at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla. The Spartans beat Illinois, 4-2, in the third place match, after losing to eventual champion Indiana, 3.5-1.5, in the morning's semifinal bout.
In the afternoon matchup with Illinois, ranked No. 8 in the latest Golfstat/Sagarin poll, Michigan State received wins from senior Jordan Ensrud, junior Jack Newman, sophomore Payne Gniewek and redshirt freshman Philip Snow. Newman took down Illinois' Scott Langley, 2&1 in the No. 1 slot, while Gniewek dominated Matt Hoffman, 4&3 in the No. 2 match. Ensrud, who was perfect in the tournament, won 2&1 over Luke Guthrie to improve to 3-0 and earn all-tournament honors. Snow had the largest margin of victory for MSU, posting a 5&3 win over Mason Jacobs.
In the morning, the Spartans fell to No. 12 Indiana, 3.5-1.5. Ensrud picked up the lone MSU win, topping David Erdy, 1-up. Snow halved his match with Drew Allenspach to gain a half point for the green and white.
Indiana won the championship with a 3.5-2.5 victory over Michigan.
