Sept. 13, 2009
Final Scores (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF)
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — Behind one of the lowest rounds of the day, an impressive even-par 71, Kentucky junior golfer Brian Belden finished tied for 19th at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate at Wolf Run Golf Club Sunday.
Belden, a native of Emmaus, Pa., shot an impressive even-par on the final 18 holes of the tournament to post his first top-20 finish since finishing tied for first at the UK Bluegrass Invitational during the 2007-08 season. Belden, who was Kentucky’s top qualifier heading into the tournament, used a redshirt season last year after playing in the first two events of the fall season.
The even-par 71 fired on Sunday, was just two strokes off his career-best round of 69 posted at the Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate last season. This summer, Belden carded a great finish at the Pennsylvania Open and was an alternate for the U.S. Public Links Amateur.
Overall, Kentucky finished the tournament in 15th place. Including Belden, seniors Jordan Blann and Derek Oldham improved their scores from the second round. Blann, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., posted a final round of 77, one stroke better than his second round performance. Oldham, a Lexington, Ky., native, improved his score by 10 strokes with a final round of 3-over-par. Blann finished the tournament tied for 59th while Oldham finished in 76th.
The other two Kentucky players in rotation, James Kania and Ben Fuqua finished tied for 73rd and tied for 81st, respectfully.
Michael Kania and Chase Parker, the two Kentucky freshmen that made the trip to play as individuals, saw their first collegiate action of their careers. Michael Kania shot a final round 82 to finish tied for 70th while Parker shot a 79 on the final 18 holes to finish tied for 79th.
No. 12 Illinois won the tournament behind the impressive play of junior Scott Langley, who finished the tournament at 203 and in second place. Illinois was followed by North Florida in second and co-host Indiana in third. North Florida sophomore Sean Dale won the individual title, finishing one stroke better than Langley. Third place was gathered by Michigan’s Matt Thompson.
Kentucky will not play again in the month of September, picking up their fall schedule on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Gary Koch Invitational at Old Memorial Golf Club. Kentucky will co-host the tournament with Auburn.
