Sept. 12, 2010
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (UCFAthletics.com) - Junior Connor Arendell (Cape Coral, Fla.) of the UCF men's golf team claimed medalist honors Sunday at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate, helping the Knights tie for second at their season-opening event. The tournament title was the first career collegiate victory for Arendell, who concluded the three-round event at 5-under 208.
The Knights posted a 293 (+9) during Sunday's final round at the Wolf Run Golf Club to finish tied for second with Ball State at 878 (+26). Illinois won the team title at 7-over 859. The Fighting Illini are ranked 18th in Golfweek's preseason poll.
Arendell shot under par during all three rounds of the tournament, including a 70 (-1) during the third round. He became the first Knight since April 2009 to win an event championship.
UCF junior Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) also posted a top-10 finish. He tied for sixth at 217 (+4).
The Knights entered the final day of play in second, seven strokes behind leader Illinois. Fellow Conference USA program Tulsa placed fourth (880, +28), and Northwestern and tournament host Indiana tied for fifth at 882 (+30).
Three UCF freshmen - Kyle Wilshire (Georgetown, Ky.), Greg Eason (Leicestershire, England) and Hojin Kang (Lake Mary, Fla.) - made their collegiate debuts at Wolf Run. Wilshire tied for 32nd at 12-over 225. Eason tied for 62nd (231, +18) and Kang tied for 66th (232, +19).
UCF also began the 2009-10 season at Wolf Run, placing sixth. Arendell tied for 42nd at the tournament.
He played well this past summer, posting impressive finishes at several events, including the U.S. Amateur Championship, where he advanced to the round of 32 in match play. Arendell finished Wolf Run four shots ahead of Ball State's Eric Steger, who placed second.
The event was the first of four for the Knights this fall. The squad will return to action on Sept. 20 at the Adam's Cup of Newport in Rhode Island.
Team Results
1. Illinois 290-288-281=859 (+7)
T2. UCF 297-291-293=878 (+26)
Ball State 296-290-292=878 (+26)
4. Tulsa 284-304-292=880 (+28)
T5. Northwestern 296-295-291=882 (+30)
Indiana 290-306-286=882 (+30)
UCF Individuals
1. Connor Arendell 69-69-70=208 (-5)
T6. Brad Schneider 76-68-73=217 (+4)
T32. Kyle Wilshire 74-77-74=225 (+12)
T62. Greg Eason 75-80-76=231 (+18)
T66. Hojin Kang 78-77-77=232 (+19)