STEVINSON, Calif. The Kansas State men’s golf team opened play at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational with rounds of 298 and 297 and enter Tuesday’s final round in eighth place with a team score of 595 (+19). K-State, who was paired with Kansas, couldn’t pair enough scores together to keep pace with the Jayhawks, who lead the event with a 286-287573 (-3).

“We just couldn’t put enough scores together to be one of the top three or four teams,” head coach Tim Norris said. “We weren’t given enough support from the No. 3 or No. 4 spot that we needed. If we can get a few more low scores, we’ll be alright.”

Junior Ben Kern had the best rounds of the day for the Wildcats. Kern, who finished second in last year’s event, picked up right where he left off a year ago, as he carded a 71-68139 (-5) and is in a three-way tie for second. Kern trails Kansas’ Kevin Ward by seven strokes, after Ward set a new 36- and 18-hole record at the event. Ward set new marks by carding a second-round 64 and a 36-hole score of 12-under 132 (68-64).

“He likes the course,” Norris said of Kern. “This is the time in the spring where he is beginning to hit stride and he can show his game. He’s been very close to turning the corner and it’s probably a little overdue. I’m not surprised he is doing this well.”

Senior Matt Van Cleave rebounded from an opening round 75 and carded a 72 in the afternoon to give him a 36-hole score of 3-over 147. Van Cleave is tied for 14th with five other golfers.

Despite the fact that the Wildcats have participated for seven straight years in the Stevinson Ranch Invitational, only Kern and Van Cleave have experience at the event. The competitors for the Wildcats, who made their debut at Stevinson Ranch were senior Nick Schumacher, junior Tyler Cummins and freshmen Kyle Yonke and Clay Hodge. Yonke fired a 76-78154 and is tied for 50th. Cummins shot a 76-81156 and is tied for 58th. Schumacher is tied for 74th, with a 80-79159. Hodge, who is playing as an individual, carded a 77-78155 and is tied for 55th.

The Wildcats continue play Tuesday at Stevinson Ranch with a 10 a.m. (CST) shotgun start. For complete tournament results, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.k-statesports.com.

Men’s Collegiate Golf
Stevinson Ranch Invitational
Stevinson, Calif.
Stevinson Ranch Golf Club
Par: 72; Yardage: 7,206

Team Scores: 1. Kansas, 286-287573 (-3); 2. Missouri, 289-290579 (+3); 3. Nebraska, 288-296584 (+8); T4. Denver, 291-294585 (+9); T4. Colorado, 293-292585 (+9); 6. Wichita State, 295-294589 (+13); 7. Iowa State, 295-295590 (+14); 8. Kansas State, 298-297595 (+19); 9. Illinois State, 298-300598 (+22); 10. Cal State-Stanislaus, 301-299600 (+24); 11. San Diego, 303-299600; 12. Drake, 304-303607 (+31); 13. SW Missouri State, 311-298609 (+33); 14. Boise State, 307-304611 (+35).

Top Individuals: 1. Kevin Ward, (Kansas) 68-64132 (-12); T2. Ben Kern, (K-State) 71-68139 (-5); T2. Edward McGlasson, (Colorado) 70-69139 (-5); T2. James Love, (Denver) 70-69139 (-5); T5.Brady Schnell, (Nebraska) 70-71141 (-3); T5. Chris Mabry, (Missouri) 70-71141 (-3).

Wildcat Individuals: T14. Matt Van Cleave, 75-72147 (+3); T50. Kyle Yonke, 76-78154 (+10); T55. *Clay Hodge, 77-78155 (+11); T58. Tyler Cummins, 76-80156 (+12); T74. Nick Schumacher, 80-7915/9 (+15);.

* Playing as an individual

K-StateSports Men's Golf

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