May 5, 2002
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Purdue men's golf team finished in third place at the 2002 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships. The Boilermakers led the tournament after the first three rounds, but fired a final-round 296 and finished behind Illinois and Minnesota.
Purdue fired a final-round 296 and finished the weekend with a five-over par 1,157. Minnesota won the event with an even-par 1,152 and was the only team to play the final round under par (-3). Illinois placed second with a three-day total of 1,156.
After playing the first nine holes at even par on Sunday, the Boilermakers were 14 strokes over par on the final nine holes of the tournament. The Boilermakers have now placed in the top three in the last three conference championship tournaments. Purdue finished second in 2000 and 2001.
"We were in the position that we wanted and just didn't play the last six holes very well," said head coach Devon Brouse. "On a tough golf course, in tough conditions and against strong teams you can't afford to do that. We need to learn that when we get off to a good start we need to put the foot on the accelerator and put some distance between us and the field and we failed to do that."
Junior Chris Mayson led the Boilermakers with a 287. He tied for eighth overall after rounds of 68, 73, 70 and 76. Mayson (-1) was one of eight individuals to finish the event under par.
"Chris played very well and things got away from him on the last six holes a bit," said Brouse. "He played well through the first three rounds and still came out with a good score."
Sophomore Shiv Kapur carded a one-under 71 on Sunday and finished tied for 13th with a four-round total of 291. Junior Peter Karmis tied for 18th after a final-round 72. Karmis recorded a five-over 293 over the three days.
"The conditions were good and the course was in great shape," said Karmis. "We are obviously disappointed with the way we finished because we felt that were in a great position to win. It's a tough thing to swallow but we have to begin to get ready for the regional."
"We had a tough stretch over those final holes," said Kapur. "I feel like if I had made it through those holes in better shape I could have taken the pressure off the other guys."
Freshman Dustin Cone and senior Lee Williamson each tied for 27th place with totals of 296. Cone fired a final-round 78, while Williamson closed out with a 77. Both had first-round 69s and finished the tournament eight over par.
Conference awards were handed out at the conclusion of the championship and Williamson was named the 2002 Big Ten Player of the Year. Williamson becomes the first Boilermaker to take home the award since its inception in 1988. Williamson was also named to the 2002 All-Big Ten team for the third-straight season, becoming only the second Boilermaker to earn the honor three times. Lenny Hartlage was named to the squad four times from 1984 to 1987.
"Lee was a solid player of the year choice and had such a tremendous stroke average and balanced season that there was quite a gap between the first and second-place voting," said Brouse. "I know that he is disappointed with his play here but sometimes you try too hard and I think he might have forced some things to day, but certainly he has nothing to hang his head about because he's been great all season."
In addition, Williamson took home the Les Bolstad Award, given to the individual with the lowest stroke average on the season. Williamson is averaging 71.0 strokes per round.
Purdue is ranked No. 23 in the top 25 of the Golfweek/Sagarin golf rankings. Minnesota is ranked 24th.
The event was held at the par-72, 7,002-yard Finkbine Golf Course and hosted by the University of Iowa.
The Boilermakers now wait to see if they earn a bid to participate in the NCAA Central Regional Championships held on May 16 to 18 in Little Rock, Ark.
Place Individual 1st Rd. 2nd Rd. 3rd Rd. 4th Rd. Total 8 Chris Mayson 68 73 70 76 287 -1T-13 Shiv Kapur 75 71 74 71 291 +3T-18 Peter Karmis 73 76 72 72 293 +5T-27 Dustin Cone 69 72 77 78 296 +8T-27 Lee Williamson 69 73 77 77 296 +8
Place Team 1st Rd. 2nd Rd. 3rd Rd. 4th Rd. Total1st Minnesota 294 278 295 285 1152 E2nd Illinois 294 287 282 294 1156 +43rd Purdue 279 289 293 296 1157 +54th Northwestern 289 283 296 295 1163 +115th Michigan State 291 291 291 293 1166 +146th Indiana 293 287 287 300 1167 +157th Ohio State 295 285 295 293 1168 +168th Michigan 294 284 294 298 1170 +189th Iowa 291 286 302 293 1172 +2010th Penn State 302 295 287 296 1180 +2811th Wisconsin 296 300 305 301 1203 +51