Solid Finish In Strong Field For CMU At Folds Of Honor Collegiate

Wednesday, September 28

Grand Haven, Mich. (American Dunes Golf Club)

10 a.m.

Central Michigan University

Folds of Honor Collegiate

CMU's Jeffrey Andrus smiles after putting out to finish his third consecutive 76 at the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes in Grand Haven.

Photo by: Andy Sneddon

Solid Finish In Strong Field For CMU At Folds Of Honor Collegiate

9/28/2022 5:18:00 PM | Men's Golf

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By: Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – Jeffrey Andrus shot his third consecutive 4-over par 76 on Wednesday to lead the Central Michigan men's golf team during the final round of the inaugural Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes Golf Club.

Andrus finished with a 54-hole 228 total in posting the Chippewas' best finish, a tie for 42^nd. Ethan Jaehn posted a 3-over 75, the best round of the day by a Chippewa and his best round of the tournament, to finish at 230 and tied for 49^th.

CMU recorded a 314 team score on Wednesday to finish at 940 and in 14^th place in the 18-team field, which featured eight teams ranked in the top 100 by Golfweek.

Eastern Michigan, the only other Mid-American Conference team in the field, finished one shot behind CMU and in 15^th place.

CMU's Philippe Yturralde shot 82 on Wednesday to finish at 232 and in a tie for 55^th, while Orlando Coons tied for 82^nd at 250 after a final-round 81.

All five Chippewas who played in the event are freshmen.

CMU is scheduled to play in the Georgia State Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3-4 and then closes its five-tournament fall schedule at the Texas State-hosted Tempest Intercollegiate Oct. 10-12.

"We're three events in and we're seeing glimpsing of where we're going to be," said coach Kevin Jennings, who leads the program which was resurrected this season after a 37-year hiatus.

"Each one of the guys has had an opportunity to compete. We were able to play with some of the top programs in the country and realize that we're not so bad ourselves; we just need to get to working and get busy.

"Playing the five freshmen and giving them that opportunity, that's us casting our eyes to the future and giving them that experience so that on the other side we feel like we'll be ready to compete at a higher level."

Illinois, which is ranked eighth nationally, shot 285 on Wednesday to win the tournament with an 854 total. No. 32 Arizona posted a final-round 286 to finish second at 869. Florida State (874) was third.

Jonathan Yaun of Liberty defeated Maximilian Steinlechner of North Carolina State on the second playoff hole to earn medalist honors. Both stood at 5-under through the regulation 54 holes.

The Folds of Honor Collegiate was played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed American Dunes course, near the shores of Lake Michigan. The venue features a rich military theme, honoring veterans at every turn as a sobering reminder, Jennings said, "that freedom is not free."

"Being a part of the inaugural Folds of Honor is a very humbling and awe-inspiring opportunity," said Jennings, who said he has myriad family members who are military veterans, including his father, Willie. "Beyond the golf, it's important that our student-athletes understand that freedom is not free, and it's an honor to be a part of such a wonderful thing.

"The feeling that you get being here is absolutely wonderful. You feel special walking around here and experiencing it and understanding that everything that we love here in this country, it comes at a price. It's a very special place to be, this country and American Dunes."