SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Less than a week after the most significant tournament title in recent Wittenberg men's golf history, a letdown may have been inevitable. The Tigers finished fifth on a tightly packed leaderboard posted at Springfield Country Club at the conclusion of the Rosencrans Maurer Invitational.
It was the first time since 2008 that Wittenberg was unable to win its own fall invitational. The last three tournaments were played at Windy Knoll Golf Club, including the first one named for legendary Tiger golf coaches Bob Rosencrans and Dave Maurer a year ago.
Wittenberg didn't play poorly on the notoriously hilly Springfield Country Club course, which was playing to measurements of 6684 yards and par 72. But the Tigers certainly didn't post the scores they have become accustomed to in recent years, carding back-to-back 301s.
Allegheny and Ohio Wesleyan, North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rivals who have been Wittenberg's closest pursuers as the Tigers have won three straight NCAC championships, tied for the top spot with matching scores of 595. Otterbein was right behind with a 596, followed by another NCAC rival, Denison, at 601, and the Tigers at 602.
Individually, the Tigers were paced by sophomore Alex Andrews (Kirtland, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) for a second straight tournament. After placing first at the loaded Gordin Invitational on Oct. 2, Andrews kept up the pace with a two-round total of 145 to finish third in a field of 93 golfers.
Next up for the Tigers was junior Ben Hogenkamp (Minster, Ohio/Minster) with a 151 to place 17th. Sophomore John Chaney (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) was next in 22nd with a 152, with senior Craig Osterbrock (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington) and junior Jack Uecker (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) rounding things out with matching 154s, good for a tie for 36th.
Also of note was the play of several Tigers entered in the field as individuals. Junior David Wetterich (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) was tops among them with a 150, good for ninth place. He was followed closely by junior Tyler Yaple (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) in 11th with a 150 and freshman Sam Geise (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) in 17th with a 151.