William Penn Edged for Title in Michigan
Boyne, Mich.–The Statesmen men’s golf team again put itself in position to come away with a title, but unfortunately was nipped in the end as it competed at the Lawrence Tech Collegiate Kickoff Tuesday and Wednesday.
WPU finished second out of nine teams with a three-round score of 918 (300-307-311) at the par-72 Boyne Mountain Resort Golf Course. Host Lawrence Tech won the event by two strokes at 916 (310-312-294).
LTU also had the tournament medalist as Jasper Komkommer led the 50-player field at 222 (75-74-73).
Mario Palain (So., Zaragoza, Spain, Business Management) was just two strokes behind Komkommer, posting a score of 224 (73-78-73) to tie for second. His week featured eight birdies, including four in the opening round on Monday.
“Mario led us again with a solid runner-up finish,” Head Coach Darin Fisher said. “He struggled a bit off the tee on Monday, which put him behind the eight ball, but his ability to rebound and let bad shots go is a huge asset.”
Kaedyn Funnell-Wong (Fr., Auckland, New Zealand, General Accounting) and Elliot Lorentzon (Jr., Stockholm, Sweden, Business Management) were in the top 10 as well, tying for 10th at 228. Funnell-Wong’s scoring of 76-75-77 included seven birdies, while Lorentzon had five birdies en route to rounds of 74, 76, and 78.
“Elliot really played solid as well,” Fisher said. “He had a lost ball late on Monday, or he would have been in the lead going into Tuesday. I am very happy with his influence on the team and his solid play.”
Tyler Pedretti (Jr., Upland, Calif., Business Management) tied for 25th at 238 (77-78-83), while Cael Schofield (So., Albia, Iowa, General Accounting) wrapped up the team scoring at 250 (82-84-84), tying for 39th. Pedretti managed six birdies, and Schofield ended up with five.
Maxence Moreau (So., Lyon, France, Applied Mathematics), playing as an individual, tied for 12th at 230 (77-71-82). His one-under 71 was the second-lowest score of the tournament (only two rounds under par). Six of his seven birdies came in the second 18 holes.
“The guys played pretty good in the first round, and then battled some windier conditions in the second round to stay close to the lead,” Fisher said. “We got off to a decent start on Tuesday, but I think we did a little too much scoreboard-watching, rather than playing. We may have gotten a little tight down the stretch, and we are not going to be able to win events that way.
“Lawrence Tech really played nicely that final round, but having a seven shot lead with nine holes to play really stings,” Fisher added. “I am disappointed for the guys because I know they really wanted this win. My staff and I need to do a better job of teaching the kids how to finish tournaments off. We will work hard this week and find our best five for the Missouri Valley event where the competition will be much tougher with two top-25 teams in the field.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Missouri Valley Invitational. Play will be contested at Indian Foothills Golf Course.
