Men’s Golf Wins Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic

It is the second tournament title under head coach Casey Lubahn.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State men’s golf team won its first tournament of the season on Tuesday, claiming the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic title. The Spartans held off No. 38 Houston by one shot to finish the 54-hole tournament at Warren Golf Course at 17-over par 869 (287-282-300). Two Spartans carded top-10 finishes, as senior Matthew Moseley tied for fifth and sophomore McCormick Clouser tied for ninth.

“It was a great team win for our program. Everyone contributed in a big fashion,” said second-year Spartan head coach Casey Lubahn. “We have been building towards this all semester and got over the hump to win a good tournament. It is nice for Coach Winger to get a win in his first semester with the program and for the senior class to pick up their second win in the last two seasons. However, we are still building and learned a lot from winning, and will take the next step next week.”

It is the second victory for Michigan State under Lubahn, as the Spartans also won the Georgetown Intercollegiate last season. In addition, it is the second time that MSU has won the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic, previously taking the title in 2007 when Lubahn was an assistant coach.

Moseley led the Spartans for the fourth time in five tournaments, posting his second straight top-5 finish and his fourth top-15 showing of the season. The Carmarthenshire, Wales, native shot a season-low 3-over par 216 (70-71-75). He posted 11 birdies, which led the team and tied for fifth in the field.

Clouser was steady all week, carding rounds of 73-72-73 to end at 5-over par 218. His total was a season best and tied his previous career low 54-hole total. Meanwhile, his finish was the best this season and was only his second career top-10 showing. Clouser took advantage of the par-5s, playing them at 5-under par, which was tops on the team and third in the field.

Freshman Mitch Rutledge had an up-and-down week, but managed a tie for 21st with a 7-over par 220 (75-68-77). He began the tournament at 6-over through seven holes, but bounced back to play the next 41 holes at 4-under par, before going 5-over during his final six hole stretch. Rutledge tied teammate Dan Ellis for the most pars this week (38), which was third best overall.

Junior Carson Castellani (70-77-75) and senior Dan Ellis (74-71-77) were in a group tied for 28th at 9-over par 222. As an individual, senior Dave Ellis tied for 46th at 15-over par 228 (76-76-76).

The Spartans return to competition for their final event of the fall on Monday, Oct. 22 for the two-day Georgetown Intercollegiate.