Sept. 21, 2004

Lawrence, Kan. -

The University of Kansas men's golf team took first place, in a 13-team field, at the Kansas Invitational on Tuesday. Kansas finished the two-day tournament with a final round of 287 for a three-day total of 870 on the 6,950 yard, par-72 Alvamar Golf Club.

"The golf course played tough again today," head coach Ross Randall said. "The pin placements were very difficult and we handled it well."

Kansas was seven strokes better than second place Kansas State, who finished with an 877, to take its second straight Kansas Invitational title.

Senior Kevin Ward took the individual title after shooting a third round 69. The Leawood, Kan. native went to a sudden death playoff with Matt VanCleave of Kansas State. Both players pared the first playoff hole, but on the second, Ward came away with par while VanCleave bogeyed. This marks Ward's second title of his career with his first coming last spring at the 2004 Louisiana Classics Invitational.

Other Jayhawks competing in the team competition were senior Andrew Price, who finished in 4th place with a 216. Sophomore Tyler Docking tied for 23rd after shooting a combined total of 223. Sophomore Gary Woodland and junior Jason Sigler tied for 31st after carding three-day totals of 225.

Six Jayhawks competed on an individual basis, and were led by juniors Ryan Rainer and Pete Krsnich who tied for 12th overall with a three-round total of 220. Sophomore Barrett Martens finished in a tie for 17th after he carded a 221 for the tournament. Freshman Joey Mundy tied for 37th after carding a combined score of 228. Junior Luke Trammell tied for 42nd after he totaled a 230. Freshman John Newcomer finished in a tie for 54th after a combined score of 233.

"Kevin played very well today and I am proud of him," Randall said. "Anytime you can win as a team without playing your best golf, it's a good thing."

Kansas' next tournament will be October 4-5 at the Windon Memorial Intercollegiate in Lake Forest, Ill.

Place School Score
1 Kansas 870
2 Kansas State 877
3 Texas-San Antonio 882
4 Houston 884
5 Nebraska 888
6 Wichita State 893
7 Oklahoma City 901
8 Northern Iowa 902
T9 Western Kentucky 908
T9 Illinois State 908
11 UMKC 916
12 St. Louis 920
13 South Dakota State 951

Individual Results

• Place Name School Score
  T1 ^Kevin WardKansas 71-72-69--212
  T1 Matt VanCleaveKansas State 71-71-70--212
  3 Pablo AcunaHouston 72-71-70--213
  4 Andrew PriceKansas 70-76-70--216
  5 Ricky RomanoHouston 74-71-72--217
• ^ Won in sudden death playoff

Kansas Results
T1 Kevin Ward 71-72-69--212
4 Andrew Price 70-76-70--216
T12 *Pete Krsnich 74-72-74--220
T12 *Ryan Rainer 73-77-70--220
T17 *Barrett Martens 75-68-78--221
T23 Tyler Docking 76-72-75--223
T31 Gary Woodland 80-71-74--225
T31 Jason Sigler 75-76-74--225
T37 *Joey Mundy 75-77-76--228
T42 *Luke Trammell 78-75-77--230
T54 *John Newcomer 77-77-78--233
*Competed as an individual