Cedarville University claimed the tournament title as the Yellow Jackets fired a low team total of 293 over the first round for an 11-stroke lead and then held on for a two-shot victory with a second day 316 to finish at 609. Huntington (Ind.) University was the runner-up at 611, while Indiana Wesleyan University (618), host Bethel (619), and Marian (Ind.) College (621) rounded out the top five. The Cougars finished tied for ninth place with Holy Cross (Ind.) College as both teams shot a 648.

Individually, Trent Roach of Cedarville won medalist honors on the first playoff hole after tying with Bethel’s Eric Lebold and Marian's Luke Weber at 149 to force the extra hole. Senior Tyler Tinch (left) led MVNU with a 151, while sophomore Jay Ruffner shot a 160. Freshman Mitch Justice came in at 169, and sophomore Alex Carroll carded a 171. Freshman Pat Freeh rounded out the scoring with a 178.

“This was a tough course, but not beyond us,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson. “We did not drive well off the tee. We may have been slightly off the fairway, but the rough and trees were just too much. There were even trees in the fairway. And, the pins were placed in very tough positions. After seeing the first-day scores, I thought maybe we played a different course. We still did not play up to our potential on the second day, but we were not that far off from the leaders.”

The Cougars will now make preparations for the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament that will be held on October 13-14 at The Hombre Golf Course in Panama City Beach, Fla.

“We have a lot of work to do for our next and final tournament of the fall season,” said Stiverson. “The Hombre is no cake walk and will force us to hit position shots as well as putt well. I am confident that this experience (at Bethel) has helped us to focus on our shortcomings and our next steps.”