Burns, Wirtz lead Men's Golf to fourth place finish at OAC Fall Invitational

By Tim Glon

FINDLAY —  Juniors Colin Burns and Ryan Wirtz each carded 9-over par 153s to lead the Ohio Northern men's golf team to a fourth place finish at the OAC Fall Invitational Sunday and Monday at Red Hawk Run Golf Course.

The Polar Bears (15-4) finished fourth out of 12 teams with a 313-309—622.

Madonna (Mich.) won the team title with a 303-303—605, John Carroll was second with a 307-301—608 and Northwestern Ohio was third with a 311-307—618.

Burns and Wirtz tied for ninth out of 70 golfers with scores of 75-78—153 and 79-74—153, respectively, on the par 72, 6724-yard course.

Freshman Rick Deichert tied for 15th with a 76-79—155, freshman Brandon Lambert tied for 35th with an 83-81—164 and sophomore Bruce Hamit tied for 37th with an 87-78—165.

John Carroll's Alex DiPalma won Medalist honors with a 74-72—146.

The Polar Bears will return to action Saturday at the Defiance Fall Invitational.

Team Standings

1. Madonna (Mich.) 302-303—605, 2. John Carroll 307-301—608, 3. Northwestern Ohio 311-307—608, 4. Ohio Northern 313-309—622, 5. Capital 318-311—629, 6. Mt. St. Joseph 314-319—633, 7. Muskingum 326-328—654, 8. Baldwin Wallace 324-332—656, 9. Otterbein 333-324—657, 10. Mount Union 330-332—662, 11. Thomas More (Ky.) 334-339—673, 12. Heidelberg 354-360—714.

Top 5 Individuals

1. Alex DiPalma (JCU) 74-72—146, t2. Andy Myers (Mad) 74-76—150, t2. Alex Odenweller (UNO) 76-74—150, t2. Stephen Beamer (MSJ) 73-77—150, t5. Erik Taurence (Mad) 77-74—151, t5. Matt Smith (UNO) 74-77—151.

Ohio Northern Individual Results

t9. Colin Burns 75-78—153, t9. Ryan Wirtz 79-74—153, t15. Rick Deichert 76-79—155, t35. Brandon Lambert 83-81—164, t37. Bruce Hamit 87-78—165.