The rain-soaked golf course may have suggested otherwise, but there was no precipitation on Mark Phillips' parade ' until he stepped out from under his umbrella, that is.
The senior was admittedly disappointed after missing the spring opener in Puerto Rico with a bad back, but his play has sparked since receiving some extra rest. His two-day total of 145 (71-74) led the Bobcats, who finished 15th out of 17 teams at the Marshall Invitational this weekend.
My back was fine
it got a little sore Phillips said. It's forced me not to swing as hard and be in control.
I felt pretty good about the way I played, the Hilliard native continued and having not played a tournament for a while, I can't complain.
Phillips also tied for fourth place in total pars for the event with 26.
Because of inclement weather over the weekend
tournament officials were forced to shorten the event from 54 holes to 36.
We got completely rained out on Friday, and had to play 36 holes on Saturday, coach Bob Cooley said. But everyone had to play the same conditions.
We didn't chip and putt very well
and the greens were perfect. Overall
our short games just weren't very good.
Illinois won the tournament with a total score of 554 (-14), and Penn State's Robert Rohanna was the individual medalist at 136.
Sophomore Tim Gusweiler finished second for Ohio at 151 (76-75), and Stewart Jamieson was one stroke behind at 152. Jamieson, one of Cooley's most consistent performers during the fall season, has yet to find a groove this spring.
It's mostly his short game ' he's made some putts
but he's missed some really short putts
Cooley said.
The Bobcats are on the road again next weekend at the UK Bluegrass Invitational in Lexington, Ky.
Not to be outdone, the women's Eastern Kentucky Spring Invitational in Richmond, Ky. was also reduced to 36 holes because of rain.
The Ohio women finished seventh out of seven teams in the event with a total score of 651. Mid-American Conference rival Eastern Michigan was the tournament champion at 606.
Freshman Erin Cahill, who played increasingly well toward the end of the fall season, has continued with a strong open to the spring schedule. Coach Jeff Hetler said she has played with poise, and her scores have been indicative.
She's played really well
and (her 74 on Saturday) was a new career-low
Hetler said. She's been a steady player
and it's great to see coming out as a freshman.
Cahill was Ohio's top finisher at Eastern Kentucky with a 152 (+8) total. On Saturday, she shot a two-over 74, which tied the second-best score of the day. She finished six shots behind the individual champion, Stephany Fleet of Eastern Michigan.
I didn't have a great tournament (in Arizona)
