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NASHPORT, Ohio – Sophomore Will Kates (Centennial, Colorado) finished in a tie for first at the Virtues Intercollegiate today (Sept. 25) with a score of 207 (-9) over three rounds. The victory, the first of Kates' collegiate career, is the first tournament won by an Ohio men's golfer since Zach Crawford (Vandalia, Ohio) won the Firestone Invitational in 2018.
The sophomore started the first day of the tournament with two rounds of 69 (-3). Entering the third round in third place sitting at six-under par, Kates continued to perform. His final round score and third consecutive round of 69 pushed him up to a tie for first place to take home a share of the trophy.
As a team, the Bobcats finished in 12th place after totaling an aggregate score of 882 (+18) after the three rounds.
Also competing in the tournament was Michigan, Marshall, George Washington, Wright State, Miami, Longwood, James Madison, Butler, Purdue Fort Wayne, Northern Kentucky, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Robert Morris, Bowling Green, Youngstown State, and Cleveland State. After the three rounds, Michigan took home the team title with a score of 830 (-34).
Behind Kates, senior Jack Neville (Terrace Park, Ohio) opened the tournament with rounds of 74 (+2) and 73 (+1) to start the third round at three-over. Neville continued his strong start with a round of 76 (+4), finishing with a total of 223 (+7) and finishing tied for 53rd.
Sophomore Carson Trafford capitalized on a strong final day to move up the leaderboard. Rounds of 72 (E) and 78 (+6) positioned Trafford for a strong push to wrap up the tournament. Starting four-under through four holes, the sophomore finished with a score of 74 (+2) and 224 (+8) for the tournament. Ater the three rounds, Trafford finished tied for 57th.
Following Trafford, junior Sam Hogan (Burlington, Canada) finished in a tie for 70th. Hogan had rounds of 75 (+3), 79 (+7), and 74 (+2). His total score was 228 (+12) over the two-day event.
Sophomore Jack O'Donnell (Powell, Ohio) rounded out the Bobcats tournament with a total score of 236 (+20). The sophomore had rounds of 77 (+5), 79 (+7), and 80 (+8), placing in 85th.
Up Next:
The Bobcats will participate in the Indy at Forest Hills on Friday, Sept. 29 in a one-day, two-round event at Forest Hills Country Club in Richmond, Indiana. The individual tournament will host four Bobcat golfers.
The next team tournament will take place at the Tom Tontimonia Invitational. The tournament, hosted by Cleveland State, will take place at Lakewood Country Club in Cleveland on Oct. 1st and 2nd.
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