Men's Golf stays undefeated and Colin Burns takes Medalist honors as Polar Bears win Defiance Spiess Memorial

By: Tim Glon

WAUSEON — The Ohio Northern men's golf team remained undefeated early in its 2011-12 season, winning the 8-team Defiance Jon Spiess memorial Tournament Tuesday at Ironwood Golf Course.

The Polar Bears (8-0) won with 310 strokes, Trine (Ind.) was second with 312, Northwestern Ohio was third with a 316 and Rochester (Mich.) was fourth with a 319.

Ohio Northern sophomore Colin Burns earned Medalist honors with a 1-over par 73 on the 6,965-yard course.

Sophomore Ryan Wirtz also earned All-Tournament Team honors by finishing t4th out of 56 golfers with a 76.

Junior Travis Ballinger tied for seventh with a 78, sophomore Pat Helman tied for 30th with an 83 and senior Phillip Caffee tied for 42nd with an 85.

The Polar Bears will return to action Friday when they play host to the annual Ohio Athletic Conference Fall Invitational at Colonial Golfers Club.

Team Standings

1. Ohio Northern 310, 2. Trine (Ind.) 312, 3. Northwestern Ohio 316, 4. Rochester (Mich.) 319, 5. Defiance 321, 6. Olivet (Mich.), 328, 7. Defiance 332, 8. Lourdes no team score.

Top 5 Individual Results

1. Colin Burns (ONU) 72, 2. Nick Ihrie 75, t3. Ryan Wirtz (ONU) 76, t3. Brandon Snell 76, t5. Mike Ross 77, t5. Mike Reynolds 77.

Ohio Northern Individual Results

1. Colin Burns 73, t3. Ryan Wirtz 76, t7. Travis Ballinger 78, t30. Pat Helman 83, t42. Phillip Caffee 85.

Ohio Northern "B" Individual Results

t23. Andrew Quintrel 82, t28. Carson Foust 82, t28. Bruce Hamit 82, t42. Angelo Palmer 85.