Gator Invite Up Next for Men’s Golf – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 8, 2000
The Ohio State men’s golf team opened the spring season earlier than usual, competing at the Arizona PING Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 31-Feb.1 and placed 20th in the 54-hole event. The Buckeyes were up against stiff competition, with seven of their opponents ranked in the Top 25. OSU shot 307-304-306=917 and was led by Ryan Dennis (So., Stow, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit), who shot two under par in the second round (69) and finished with a score of 224, which tied him for 48th place. Mike Austin (Jr., Burton, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic) shot a 229 and tied for 68th place.
Brown likes what he sees
Despite the 20th place finish, OSU golf coach Jim Brown was pleased with what he saw from his squad in Tucson. “We played a lot better than we finished,” he said. “I was disappointed in the finish, but I wasn’t disappointed in the way we played. Everyone played a good fifteen holes (per round). We had some very good scores.”
Gator Invitational up Next
The Buckeyes return to action Feb. 12-13 at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. The Buckeyes look to build on the positive aspects from the PING Invite. “We’re taking the same five guys to Florida,” Brown said. “We want them to get used to playing outside.” As they were in Tucson, the Buckeyes will again be the sole Northern participant in the Gator Invite. Brown stressed that the competition is not what is important, however, improvement is. “I think we can improve our scores and keep improving,” he said. “I think we have a very good team this year.”
Wagenseller led OSU through fall
Sophomore David Wagenseller (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington) averaged 72.6 strokes over eight rounds during the fall season to lead the Buckeyes. He finished the 1998-99 season with a 76.4 stroke average.
Wagenseller was followed in the 1999 fall season by Ryan Dennis at 73.5.
Youth movement underway at OSU
Ohio State traveled a freshman, three sophomores and one junior to the opening tournament of the 2000 spring season in Tucson, Ariz. The Buckeyes were led by sophomore Ryan Dennis (224) with junior Mike Austin five shots back at 229. Sophomores Jason Oien (Westerville, Ohio/North) and David Wagenseller (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington) and freshman Justin Collins (Ironton, Ohio/Ironton) also made the trip to Arizona.
Combined, this group has played just 165 total rounds of collegiate golf. Austin is the leader with 64. Wagenseller is next with 42 followed by Dennis with 33, Oien with 15 and Collins with just 11.
