Barbee Helps Catapult Kansas to Top Team Finish in Grove Era

Sept. 22, 2009

MANHATTAN, Kan. –

Click Here For Complete Final Results Get Acrobat Reader

Nate Barbee’s top-career finish helped lead the Kansas men’s golf team to a second place finish at the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate at Colbert Hills Golf Course.

Barbee, who entered the final round with the lead, shot a final round 73 and tied for 3rd place. Barbee has now recorded seven top-10 finishes in his Jayhawk career.

“Nate (Barbee) keeps knocking on the door to win his first event and I think once he gets his first victory there will be many more to come,” said head coach Kit Grove.

The team was also aided by top-15 finishes by both senior Bryan Hackenberg and freshman Alex Gutesha. Hackenberg continued his strong start to his senior campaign with a final round 72 and finished tied for eighth. Gutesha carded an even-par 71 to finish tied for 11th and has finished in the top-20 in his first two collegiate events.

“I am very happy with how we played this week and I think we really have some pieces that we can build on going forward,” said Grove. “Next up is our home event and hopefully we can do a better job of defending our home turf than we have in the last few years.”

Freshman Chris Gilbert shot a 78 to finish tied for 25th place. Senior Patrick Roth bested his first round score by six strokes with a 79 and placed tied for 45th.

Another bright spot for the Jayhawks was the play of newcomer Jeff Bell in his first collegiate start. Bell, who competed as an individual, carded the best round of the day amongst all competitors with a 69 and finished the event tied for 5th.

“Jeff (Bell) did a great job this week and although he wasn’t in the lineup this week we will be sure to get him in there in following weeks,” said Grove.

Sophomore Blake Giroux and senior Bobby Knowles also competed as individuals. Giroux shot a 79 to placed tied for 45th, while Knowles shot a 94 to finish 53rd.

Kansas State, the host school, won the event with a two round score of 569. Joe Ida of Kansas State won medalist honors, besting Barbee by two strokes with a 142.

The Jayhawks will return to action Sept. 28-29 when they host the Kansas Invitational at Alvamar Golf Course. Check back to kuathletics.com for complete coverage of the 2009-10 season.

Team Leaderboard

1. Kansas State 287-282–569

2. Kansas 297-294–591

3. Illinois State 295-301–596

4. UMKC 302-297—599

T5. Florida Gulf Coast 321-289–610

T5. Western Illinois 308-302–610

Player Leaderboard

1. Joe Ida, Kansas State 70-70—140

2. Mitchell Gregson, Kansas State 71-70—141

T3. Nate Barbee, Kansas 69-73—142

T3. Kyle Peterman, Western Illinois 70-72—142

T5. Jeff Bell, Kansas-I 75-69—144

T5. Tommy Bliefnick, Illinois State 73-71—144

T8. Bryan Hackenberg, Kansas 75-72—147

T11. Alex Gutesha, Kansas 77-71—148

T20. Chris Gilbert, Kansas 76-78—154

T45. Patrick Roth, Kansas 85-79—164

T45. Blake Giroux, Kansas-I 85-79—164

53. Bobby Knowles, Kansas-I 91-94—185