April 19, 2005

JORDAN, Minn. - [complete results] The Bemidji State University men's golf team carded 312 in the final round of the 2005 Gustie Spring Classic Tuesday at the par-72 Ridges at Sand Creek, giving the squad 916 strokes (294-310-312) and a sixth place finish in the 54-hole, 14-team event. St. John's University (Minn.), which led after two rounds, held on to gain the team tile shooting 285-298-302=885.

Individual medalist honors went to Winona State University's Troy Merrit who shot a blistering six under, 66 in the final round of the classic to slide up from sixth place in the final day of competition. Merrit's final-round score fueled the biggest surprise of the meet as WSU bypassed two teams in the second day to gain second place with a total of 300-299-288=887. Tuesday's 288 (E) bettered the Warriors' nearest compeditor by 10 strokes.

Freshman Neil Rude (White Bear Lake, Minn.) led Bemidji State carding a 74 (+2) on day two holding on to fifth place with a 54-hole total of 71-74-74=219. Beaver senior Allen Zutz moved up one position to 16th after firing a 75 (+3) in the event's final 18 holes.

Bemidji State will now prepare for the St. John's Invitational which is set to take place Sunday, April 24th at the Monticello Country Club in Monticello, Minn.

Final Team Standings
St. John's 885
Winona State 887
Gustavus Adolphus 892
Wisconsin-Eau Claire 894
St. Thomas (Minn.) 906
Bemidji State 916
Luther College 927
Milwaukee School of Engineering 929
Augsburg College 938
Minnesota State 945
St. Mary's (Minn.) 955
St. Olaf 983
Macalester 986
Concordia (Minn.) 990

Bemidji State’s Individual Results
5. Neil Rude 71-74-74=219
T-16. Allen Zutz 73-76-75=224
T-32. Toby Palmiscno 69-83-78=230
T-73. Matt Gorden 84-77-85=246
81. Shane Peterson 81-85-85=251
Team Score 916

T-59. Jeff Peltier 77-82-82=241
T-86. Eric Aune 88-92-84=264