WOMEN'S GOLF: Young Bulldogs Take Fifth At Home Invitational

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University recorded a fifth-place finish in its own invitational on Saturday at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs have a young team this year, but with some players who are talented and with a wealth of potential to do some special things.

It will be interesting to see how this season plays off for Ferris with a start to the season that features a lot of good competition.

Here is the official press release from Ferris Athletics Communications:

The nationally-ranked Ferris State University women's golf team shot a final-round 319 score in Saturday's (Sept. 5) 2009 Ferris State Bulldog Invitational as the Bulldogs finished tied for fifth place with a two-round 633-stroke total on FSU's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich.

The host Bulldogs, who are listed ninth in the 2009-10 Golf World/Nike Golf Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll, carded an opening-round 314 score before registering a 319 total in final-round action to tie Ashland (Ohio) for fifth place. Grand Valley State claimed the tournament title with a 597-stroke total (+21) while Indianapolis (608, +32) was second and Southern Indiana (622, +46) placed third. California, Pa. fired a 632 score (+56) to capture fourth-place honors among the 18-tourney team participants.

Sophomore Bryce Hetchler (Clinton Township/Fraser) led the way for Ferris State by firing a 151 score (74-77=151, +7), which was good for eighth place. Fellow sophomore Brooke Rodes (Traverse City/West) finished in a three-way tie for 19th place by shooting a 158 (81-77=158, +14).

Sophomore Blaize Baumgartner (Perry) netted a 162 score (80-82=162, +18) to tie for 27th place. Freshman Ashley Swanson (Flushing/Flint Powers Catholic Central) generated a 41st-place tying 166-stroke total (79-87=166, +22) in her first collegiate match. Sophomore Breezy Bernth (Greenville) rounded out the scoring for Ferris State by producing a 170 score (87-83=170, +26), good for a 49th-place tie.

The FSU women's golf team to action this week (Sept. 7-8) when the Bulldogs participate in the Grand Valley State Laker Classic at GVSU's The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich.

Here are the top 10 team finishers:

1 1 Grand Valley State 301 296 597 +21
2 2 Indianapolis, U. of 305 303 608 +32
3 3 Southern Indiana 312 310 622 +46
T4 4 California-PA 314 318 632 +56
T4 T5 Ferris State Univ. 314 319 633 +57
6 T5 Ashland University 322 311 633 +57
7 7 Northern Kentucky U. 326 316 642 +66
8 8 Findlay, U. of 330 333 663 +87
9 9 Wittenburg University 332 343 675 +99
10 10 Northwood U. MI 335 344 679 +103

Photo taken by Glenn Hyde