COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sophomore Alex Schaake fired a 73 (+2) in the final round of NCAA Regionals on Wednesday at the par-71 Scarlet Course to tie for 24th. The second team All-Big Ten selection carded a 54-hole score of 220 (+7; 73, 74, 73) to miss a top-20 finish by one stroke.
Michigan’s Kyle Mueller won the regional as an individual by recording a tournament-low 66 (-5) in the final round to prevent Schaake from advancing to the NCAA Championships. Schaake’s performance marks the eighth time this season that he’s finished inside the top 25.
Schaake got off to a quick start, parring 11 straight holes, including the last four holes of his suspended second round from yesterday. Back-to-back birdies to finish the front nine had the Omaha, Nebraska, native sitting inside the top 20. The back nine, which featured seven of the nine hardest holes on the day, was a different story, but Schaake held on with a birdie on the par-four, 378-yard 16th hole.
This was the second straight year Schaake has competed in the NCAA Regionals. Next year, Schaake will be a leader on the team that will have two seniors: Matthew Walker and Aaron DeNucci.
COACH STITH’S COMMENTS
“The Scarlet (Course) is a demanding test of golf and Alex performed well. His ball striking was very good and he was disciplined in his approach. Conditions were constantly changing and I thought he adapted quickly. He has taken a step forward this year and established himself as one of the best players in the Big Ten. He will work hard over the summer and be even stronger next season.”
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