Kansas Takes Crown at Badger Invitational

Badger Invitational
University Ridge Golf Course | Madison, Wis.
Par-72 | 7,259Yards
Ben Welle shot a 69 (-3) in the final round of the Badger Invitational, helping KU claim the title.
Final Results
Place Team Score
1 Kansas 865 (+1)
2 Miami (OH) 873 (+9)
3 Ball State 894 (+30)
4 Butler 898 (+34)
5 William & Mary 899 (+35)
6 USC Upstate 904 (+40)
7 Wisconsin 908 (+44)
8 Drake 910 (+46)
T9 Illinois State 912 (+48)
T9 Western Carolina 912 (+48)
11 Rutgers 913 (+49)
12 Texas Rio Grande Valley 934 (+70)
Individual Leaderboard (Top 5)
Place Name Team Score
1 Patrick Flavin M-OH 207 (-9)
2 Jordan Hahn WIS 211 (-5)
T3 Chase Hanna KU 217 (+1)
T3 Daniel Hudson KU 217 (+1)
T3 Two Players 217 (+1)
Kansas Leaderboard
Place Name Score
T3 Chase Hanna 217 (+1)
T3  Daniel Hudson 217 (+1)
T8 Connor Peck 220 (+4)
T8 Charlie Hillier 220 (+4)
T15    Ben Welle 222 (+6)
T39 Drake Hull 220 (+13)

Final Results

MADISON, Wis. – Poor weather conditions at University Ridge Golf Course may have made Tuesday’s play a little more difficult, but that did not deter the Kansas men’s golf team from finishing in first place and claiming the Badger Invitational title.  The win marks KU’s first victory this season and the third in head coach Jamie Bermel’s tenure.

The Jayhawks finished the tournament eight strokes ahead of runner-up Miami of Ohio, by posting scores of 283-286-296–285 (+1).  Through the help of all five players placing in the top-20, Kansas recorded 52 birdies, which was more than any other team of 12-team field.

“We played well today from top to bottom,” Bermel said. “I’m really happy for Ben Welle after his performance today.  (He) struggled the first two days, but he had a great round today in difficult conditions.  It was a total team effort today and (I’m) extremely happy for the entire team.”

After shooting a combined 153 (+9) through the first two rounds, Welle bounced back tremendously on the final day and carded a 69 (-3).  His play on Tuesday earned him a tie for 15th place, as he was just one of four players, throughout the 78 player field, to record a score under par in Tuesday’s final round.

Kansas’ top scorers came at the likes of junior Chase Hanna and sophomore Daniel Hudson, who both finished tied for third on the individual leaderboard. 

By the end of the event, Hanna recorded the second most birdies with 13, which allowed him to be in contention to win the individual title throughout most of the tournament.  However, he carded a six-over, 78, on Tuesday to finish with scores of 69-70-78–217 (+1) on the par-72, 7,259-yard course.

Hudson, on the other hand, managed to climb up the leaderboard each day of the tournament.  His 76 (+4) on Tuesday was good enough for him to move up two spots from Monday, after finding himself tied for 12th when the first round was over.   The top-five finish marks his first of the season, as well as the first of his KU career.

Rounding off the players who represented Kansas, were senior Connor Peck and freshman Charlie Hillier.  The duo became the second pair of Jayhawks to finish the event in the same position on the leaderboard, as they placed for another top-10 position, finishing tied for eighth.  Hillier and Peck played solid all week, carding a final score of 220 (+4), and recording 11 and 10 birdies, respectively.

Playing as an individual, freshman Drake Hull shot a 74 (+2) in the third round, moving him into the top-40.  He finished tied for 39th, making this the second consecutive tournament in whicha all Kansas players placed in the top-40. 

Up next for the Jayhawks: Kansas will begin to prepare for the Bayou City Collegiate Championship, where it will travel to Pearland, Texas for the event.  The two-day tournament is slated to take place on October 12-13. 

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