May 1, 2006
Seven men's teams and five women's teams are set to tee off today at the Horizon League Men's and Women's Golf Championship at Plum Creek Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. Loyola freshman Kevin Emmerich will be the first to tee off this morning at 8 a.m. The women's tournament is slated for an 8:20 a.m. start when Detroit senior Rachel Merritt begins action.
Men's Preview
After claiming championship honors on the men's side in 2003 and 2004, Wright State was edged by six strokes by Detroit in last year's tournament at the Royal American Golf Course in Galena, Ohio. The defending champion Titans, with just one senior in their tournament line-up, look to repeat behind leading scorers Mark Sommerfeld (74.3) and Kyler Muphy (74.6). The Raiders have no seniors in their line-up and are led by sophomore Tyler Miskell (74.5) and junior Brandon Knutson (76.2).
Cleveland State enters the men's tournament coming off of a championship effort at the Dayton Spring Invitational last week. The Vikings, who have finished in the top-four in their last three tournaments, return the 2005 League medalist in sophomore Doug Barber. Youngstown State is led by senior Nate Komsa (75.4) and freshman Ryan Stocke (75.7).
UW-Green Bay has had a busy April. The Phoenix did not open its season until April 10, but still managed to prepare for the tournament by playing in four tournaments in 15 days. Sophomore Carson Solien leads the team in scoring (76.5), followed by freshman Garrett Gosh (76.9). Loyola's top two scorers, Sean Bidzinski (75.6) and Armando Favela (76.2), are freshmen and the Ramblers do not have a senior in their tournament line-up. Butler, led by senior Will Turner (77.6), and freshman Kevin Sasena (78.3), rounds out the tournament field.
Women's Preview
Defending champion Butler looks to repeat behind two-time League medalist junior Lynnsey Showers. Showers is leading the circuit in scoring (78.1), while sophomore teammate Niki Garden (79.8) is second in the League. In last year's tournament, Shower fired a tournament-record (76-74-76 - 226).
Cleveland State senior Kristen Obush is among the League's leading scorers (80.5), as is Detroit sophomore Mandi Dupuis (81.9). Both look to lead their respective teams to their first League championship.
2004 champion Loyola is on a hot streak, finishing first at the St. Francis Invitational in Lockport, Ill., and second at its own Rambler Invitational three weeks ago in Mundelein, Ill. Youngstown State won the first women's tournament n 2003 and is led by sophomores Brittany Jones (81.0) and Adrianna DiLonardo (82.1).
