Sept. 27, 2003

The Eastern Kentucky men's golf team was awarded a first place finish out of an 11-field team on Saturday after the third and final round of their annual tournament, the Colonel Classic, was ruled a rainout.

The Colonels shot an 11 under par for a total of 565 strokes to claim the win after two rounds, holding off both Morehead and Murray State University, who each tied for second by shooting six under for a total of 570 strokes.

Mark Schmitz shot a two over for a total of 146 strokes and tied with two other golfers for 16th place overall, the best finish of any of the five Southeast golfers. Kent Phillips finished next best, tying for 45th place with Matt Litzelfelner. They each shot a nine over for 153 total strokes. Brian Sheehan tied four other golfers for 47th place. He shot 10 over for 154 strokes. Matt Hillis rounded out the team by shooting 11 over for 155 strokes, tying one other golfer for 51st place.

The scores for the top three golfers were neck and neck. Brett Chambers of Longwood University had the top score of the tournament, shooting seven under for a total of 137 strokes. Eastern Kentucky's Josh Crutcher and Tyler Cain finished in second and third place, respectively, with Crutcher shooting a six under for a total of 138 strokes and Cain shooting just one below that at five under for a total of 139 strokes.

The next action Southeast golf will see will take place on October 13-14 as Eastern Illinois University hosts the Eastern Illinois Ironhorse Invitational at the Ironhorse Golf Club.