Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's golf concludes fall season at ORU Shootout
10/23/2005 | 12:00:00 | Men's Golf
Oct. 23, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's golf team wraps up its fall season Oct. 24-25 at the ORU Shootout. SIU will be one of 10 teams in the two-day event.
Hosted by Oral Roberts University, the ORU Shootout is a 54-hole tournament set to take place at Battle Creek golf Club in Tulsa, Okla. The par-72 course will play at 7,237 yards during the event.
"We need three consistent rounds. We should be ready to put three rounds together this week," said SIU Head Coach Leroy Newton.
"We have put two rounds together, but not anything like what we are capable of. We need to get our consistency down, shoot three good rounds and place high in the tournament."
SIU is familiar with this event as the team finished second last year. Three Salukis finished in the top 15, leading SIU to rounds of 290-295-301--886, four strokes out of the lead.
Making the trip to Tulsa for the event are seniors Sean McNemar, Roger Welch and Chad Cooper. Juniors Mark Schmitz and Daniel Tomlin will also be on hand.
Looking for at least a repeat performance from last season, the Dawgs will have to rely on senior co-captains McNemar and Welch.
McNemar is leading SIU through four tournaments this season with a stroke average of 72.4. He has also recorded four rounds in the 60s, putting him tied for first in SIU history in career rounds in the 60s with six.
Welch is coming off of his best tournament appearance this season after he posted rounds of 76-74-71--221, placing him 17th at the Missouri State / Rivercut Invitational.
"Everything is falling into place as far as who should be playing and will play in the spring," said Newton. "The kids realize their shortcomings and have been working on them. I have seen some improvements from all of them on their shortcomings this season."
Also competing in the ORU Shootout this week are Bradley University, Centenary College, Loyola University, Midland College, North Dakota State University, Oral Roberts University, South Dakota State University, University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Action begins Mon., Oct. 24 with 36 holes beginning with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will conclude Tues., Oct. 25 with the final 18 holes.
