Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
MAC Championship
EMU Storms From Behind to Win Second Straight MAC Men's Golf Title
5/4/2008 4:08:44 PM | Men's Golf
Eagles make up four strokes on final day during championship run
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NASHPORT, Ohio — In the end it came down to the last shot of the tournament before a winner could be crowned at the 2008 Mid-American Conference Men’s Golf Champion here on a sunny Sunday (May 4) afternoon with temperatures in the high 60s at the 7,224-yard Longaberger Golf Club.
With Eastern trailing by one shot heading into the final threesome of the three-day, 72-hole tournament, the Eagles’ Peter Sauerbrei (Kingston, Ontario-Kingston Collegiate) completed his round with a par on the par four 18th. His Kent State opponent, David Ludlow, then missed a bogey putt and had to settle for a six to give Eastern Michigan the one-stroke victory, 1171-1172.
For head coach Bruce Cunningham it was the second consecutive MAC title and the second in school history for the Eagles. Cunningham also won the MAC Coach of the Year honor for the second straight season. Kent State’s John Hahn was named Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. By winning the MAC title, the Eagles will advance to their second straight NCAA Regional Tournament with sites to be announced Monday.
"I knew it was really tight coming into the last threesome," Cunningham said. "All we wanted Pete (Sauerbrei) to do was hit it to the middle of the green on the last hole and he did that, hitting it a little short of his target on the green. He had perfect pace and speed on the double-breaker putt and he was able to get it close enough for the tap in and put the pressure on the Kent State player to make his putt."
Sauerbrei, who finished the tournament in second at 287 (71-71-75-70) was uncertain where the Eagles stood heading into the last hole, but he also knew it was a tight race for the title.
"I thought I had to make the first putt," Sauerbrei said. "I just wanted to give it a chance for birdie and it was close. It was a perfect way to win, it was awesome."
After rolling to first place after the first two rounds Friday, the Eagles fell back a place to hold down second heading into Sunday’s (May 4) final 18 holes, four strokes behind Kent State.
The Eagles quickly made up the difference on the front nine Sunday, rallying for a four-shot lead heading into the final nine holes. Kent State refused to buckle, however, roaring back to take a one-shot lead heading into the final pairing of the day.
That left it up to Sauerbrei who handled the pressure to help the Eagles record the win.
Following Eastern and Kent State in the final standings were: Ball State third at 1194 (297-301-296-300), Toledo fourth at 1203 (306-310-294-293), Akron fifth at 1204 (299-305-299-301), Miami sixth at 1206 (301-303-306-296), Ohio seventh at 1207 (294-299-308-306), Bowling Green eighth at 1210 (303-304-305-298), and Northern Illinois ninth at 1216 (299-305-305-307).
Following Sauerbrei for the Eagles were: Chris Ross (Dundas, Ontario-Parkside) in sixth at 292 (74-73-73-72), Marty Jeppesen (Saline, Mich.-Saline) tied for seventh at 294 (74-72-75-73), defending MAC medalist Graham Hill (Brights Grove, Ontario-Northern Collegiate) tied for 14th at 298 (77-72-76-73) and Brad Larente (Cambridge, Ontario-Hespeler Secondary) tied for 37th at 313 (81-79-76-77).
Final Team Totals
1. Eastern Michigan 296-288-299-288=1171
2. Kent State 302-284-293-293=1172
3. Ball State 297-301-296-300=1194
4. Toledo 306-310-294-293=1203
5. Akron 299-305-299-301=1204
6. Miami 301-303-306-296=1206
7. Ohio 294-299-308-306=1207
8. Bowling Green 303-304-305-298=1210
9. Northern Illinois 299-305-305-307=1216
Final Individual Leaders - Top 5
1. Ciaran McAleavey (Toledo) 70-74-74-68=286
2. Peter Sauerbrei (EMU) 71-71-75-70=287
3. John Hahn (Kent State) 74-73-72-70=289
4. Colin Clemente (Akron) 72-73-70-75=290
5. David Ludlow (Kent State) 74-70-73-74=291
6. Christopher Ross (EMU) 74-73-73-72=292
T7. Zach Jecklin (Northern Illinois) 72-72-74-76=294
T7. Marty Jeppesen (EMU) 74-72-75-73=294
9. David Markle (Kent State) 76-72-72-75=295
EMU Players-Final Scores
T2. Peter Sauerbrei (EMU) 71-71-75-70=287
6. Christopher Ross (EMU) 74-73-73-72=292
T7. Marty Jeppesen (EMU) 74-72-75-73=294
T14. Graham Hill (EMU) 77-72-76-73=298
T37. Brad Larente (EMU) 81-79-76-77=313
MAC COACH OF THE YEAR
Bruce Cunningham - Eastern Michigan
MAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
John Hahn - Kent State
MAC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
John Hahn - Kent State
FIRST TEAM ALL-MAC
John Hahn - Kent State
David Markle - Kent State
Graham Hill - Eastern Michigan
David Ludlow - Kent State
Colin Clemente - Akron
Ciaran McAleavey - Toledo
SECOND TEAM ALL-MAC
Jace Walker - Bowling Green
Christopher Ross - Eastern Michigan
Brett Cairns - Kent State
Ben Wood - Miami
Nathan Sutherland - Miami
MAC ALL-TOURNAMENT
Ciaran McAleavey (Toledo)
Peter Sauerbrei (Eastern Michigan)
John Hahn (Kent State)
Colin Clemente (Akron)
David Ludlow (Kent State)
