Central Michigan University Athletics
Tuesday, May 2
Athens, Ala. (Canebrake Golf Club)
9 a.m.
Central Michigan University
vs
Mid-American Conference Championship
CMU freshman Jeffrey Andrus finished at 3-over par to tie for 10th at the MAC Championship at Canebrake Golf Club in Athens, Ala.
Photo by: Taylor Strnad/Ohio Athletics
Andrus Ties for 10th, CMU finishes 6th at MAC Championship
5/2/2023 7:15:00 PM | Men's Golf
Chippewas finish strong in first men's varsity golf season since 1985
ATHENS, Ala. – Central Michigan's Jeffrey Andrus shot a final-round 78 on Tuesday to finish at 3-over 219 and tied for 10th place in the Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championship at Canebrake Golf Club.
The Chippewas posted a 303 team score on Tuesday to finish with a 54-hole 890 total and in sixth place in the nine-team field.
Andrus' top-10 finish was remarkable – as was the team's placing – considering that he, along with three of his teammates, are true freshman. The lone nonfreshman, Arie Jackman, in the CMU lineup is a junior transfer playing Division I college golf for the first time.
Andrus was one of three freshmen to finish in the top 10.
"I thought that Jeff did very well," CMU coach Kevin Jennings said. "He exhibited a lot of resiliency and tenacity, especially under the conditions. We had 15-20 mph winds gusting to 25-30 the entire event.
"The way in which he played and fought is exceptionally commendable and a testament to the foundation that we're looking to lay for our future. He did wonderful."
CMU, playing its first varsity men's golf season since 1985, opened the tournament on Sunday with a 291, which left it tied for first place. The Chippewas followed with a 296 on Monday and entered the final round in fifth place.
The sixth-place finish was CMU's best in 11 stroke play events this season and the 890 team score was its third best 54 hole total. The Chippewas' opening-round 291 tied their season best, and their 587 after Monday's second round was one stroke shy of the program 36-hole mark.
Andrus' opening-round 69 tied the program 18-hole record set a month ago by Jackman. Ethan Jaehn tied that mark in the second round.
"I think their play is indicative of how we felt the entire year," Jennings said of his players. "We're very confident in ourselves and our ability and skillset. This event was a little more reflective of the abilities that they have.
"We look forward to having an opportunity to continue to build on the foundation that we're laying. We saw the progress this week that we were seeing throughout the course of the year. it's just a matter of putting it together, stringing it together and once you do that, you back it up with even more."
Northern Illinois closed with a 295 team score and finished with an 869 total for a four-shot victory over Ball State (873). Toledo (875) was third. Six-time defending champion Kent State (877) placed fourth.
Philippe Yturralde shot a 1-over 73 on Tuesday to lead the Chippewas, while Jackman posted a 2-over 74. The Chippewas' Easton Phillips closed with a 78 and Jaehn shot 82.
Jackman finished with a 224 total and in a tie for 22nd, while Jaehn (225) tied for 25th. Yturralde and Phillips both finished at 231 and tied for 39th.
Toledo's Barend Botha closed with a 4-under 68 to win the tournament with a 5-under 211, one shot better than Danny Fisher of Miami (Ohio).
The Chippewas led the nine-team field with a combined 167 pars in the tournament. Jackman finished with 37 pars to tie for the second most in the 45-player field, while Andrus had 35, which was the fifth most, and Jaehn posted 34, the sixth most.
"We're seeing glimpses of the future from everyone and looking forward to further tapping into that as we continue what we're doing," Jennings said. "The indicators of individual, as well as team, progress throughout the year are duly noted by me and by members within the program and we look forward to moving forward with what we have and the foundation that we've laid.
"There's much, much to learn. Learning is taking place on both sides, on my side -- how to improve what I'm doing to help move them forward -- and learning on their side on what they're doing as players, as scholars, as individuals and as people, being productive in society.
"We saw a lot of positive growth within them as individuals, and also we saw a lot of positive growth within their games. Most of all, we saw a lot of positivity academically, because that's what they came here for."
The Chippewas posted a 303 team score on Tuesday to finish with a 54-hole 890 total and in sixth place in the nine-team field.
Andrus' top-10 finish was remarkable – as was the team's placing – considering that he, along with three of his teammates, are true freshman. The lone nonfreshman, Arie Jackman, in the CMU lineup is a junior transfer playing Division I college golf for the first time.
Andrus was one of three freshmen to finish in the top 10.
"I thought that Jeff did very well," CMU coach Kevin Jennings said. "He exhibited a lot of resiliency and tenacity, especially under the conditions. We had 15-20 mph winds gusting to 25-30 the entire event.
"The way in which he played and fought is exceptionally commendable and a testament to the foundation that we're looking to lay for our future. He did wonderful."
CMU, playing its first varsity men's golf season since 1985, opened the tournament on Sunday with a 291, which left it tied for first place. The Chippewas followed with a 296 on Monday and entered the final round in fifth place.
The sixth-place finish was CMU's best in 11 stroke play events this season and the 890 team score was its third best 54 hole total. The Chippewas' opening-round 291 tied their season best, and their 587 after Monday's second round was one stroke shy of the program 36-hole mark.
Andrus' opening-round 69 tied the program 18-hole record set a month ago by Jackman. Ethan Jaehn tied that mark in the second round.
"I think their play is indicative of how we felt the entire year," Jennings said of his players. "We're very confident in ourselves and our ability and skillset. This event was a little more reflective of the abilities that they have.
"We look forward to having an opportunity to continue to build on the foundation that we're laying. We saw the progress this week that we were seeing throughout the course of the year. it's just a matter of putting it together, stringing it together and once you do that, you back it up with even more."
Northern Illinois closed with a 295 team score and finished with an 869 total for a four-shot victory over Ball State (873). Toledo (875) was third. Six-time defending champion Kent State (877) placed fourth.
Philippe Yturralde shot a 1-over 73 on Tuesday to lead the Chippewas, while Jackman posted a 2-over 74. The Chippewas' Easton Phillips closed with a 78 and Jaehn shot 82.
Jackman finished with a 224 total and in a tie for 22nd, while Jaehn (225) tied for 25th. Yturralde and Phillips both finished at 231 and tied for 39th.
Toledo's Barend Botha closed with a 4-under 68 to win the tournament with a 5-under 211, one shot better than Danny Fisher of Miami (Ohio).
The Chippewas led the nine-team field with a combined 167 pars in the tournament. Jackman finished with 37 pars to tie for the second most in the 45-player field, while Andrus had 35, which was the fifth most, and Jaehn posted 34, the sixth most.
"We're seeing glimpses of the future from everyone and looking forward to further tapping into that as we continue what we're doing," Jennings said. "The indicators of individual, as well as team, progress throughout the year are duly noted by me and by members within the program and we look forward to moving forward with what we have and the foundation that we've laid.
"There's much, much to learn. Learning is taking place on both sides, on my side -- how to improve what I'm doing to help move them forward -- and learning on their side on what they're doing as players, as scholars, as individuals and as people, being productive in society.
"We saw a lot of positive growth within them as individuals, and also we saw a lot of positive growth within their games. Most of all, we saw a lot of positivity academically, because that's what they came here for."
Players Mentioned
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