Bridgeport, W. Va. - Youngstown State junior Kevin Scherr won medalist honors for the first time in his career to lead the men's golf team on Tuesday at The Health Plan Mountaineer Invitational from Pete Dye Golf Club.
Scherr carded a three-round score of 213 (70-72-71) to become the first Penguin in four years to win an individual tournament title. Brandon Pluchinsky took medalist honors at the Cleveland State Invitational nearly four years ago to the day on Oct. 6, 2015. The performance marked Scherr's second top-five finish of the season and the third of his career. The Nazareth, Pa., native has now turned in eight rounds of par or below through four events this fall.
Scherr was tied for first place after Monday's first round and carried a one-stroke lead into the final round on Tuesday. Playing against a very competitive field, he jockeyed for position at the top of the leaderboard throughout the final day as various players vied for the individual crown. Seven different golfers finished within three strokes of Scherr's winning score. Five players tied for second with a three-round 215 while two others finished with a 216.
Scherr's two-under-par 70 in the first round featured 12 pars and four birdies as he made par or better on each of his first 11 holes. After a pair of bogeys over his first five holes in the second round, the junior settled in to make par or better on 11 of his final 13 to finish with an even-par 72. Scherr's one-under-par 71 in the final round included 13 pars and three birdies. After a bogey on his third hole, he went on to make par or better on 14 of his final 15 to secure the victory.
As a team, the Penguins placed 11th with a three-round total of 920. After posting rounds of 314 and 312 in the first two rounds, respectively, YSU closed out the event with a strong 294 in the final session. The tournament was plagued by wet, rainy conditions on Monday as the teams were unable to complete 36 holes as originally scheduled. The field finished the second round Tuesday morning before moving directly into the third and final round.
Cole Christman (80-79-76) and Ken Keller (81-80-74) each recorded a three-round mark of 235. After a difficult first two rounds, both players bounced back with solid performances over the final 18 holes. Keller's two-over-par 74 in the final round featured three birdies and an eagle on the par-five No. 15. After playing his first nine holes at four over par, he settled in to go two under with three birdies and five pars over his final nine. Christman's final-round 76 included 10 pars and a pair of birdies.
Bryan Kordupel, who finished with a three-round 237 (83-81-73), also had a strong finish to the tournament. The sophomore's one-over 73 in the final round featured 10 pars and four birdies. After two bogeys in his first four holes, he responded by scoring par or better on 12 of his final 14. Zack Ford turned in an 83 in the first round that featured an eagle on the par-five No. 8. After withdrawing in the second round due to an injury, he came back with a 77 in the final round that saw him make nine pars and three birdies.
West Virginia won the tournament title for the second straight season with a three-round team total of 864, and three Mountaineers finished in the top 10 individually. Florida Atlantic was the runner up with an 867 while Southern Miss, James Madison and UConn rounded out the top five. The Penguins finished in front of Washington State, George Washington, Marshall and Akron.
Youngstown State will conclude its fall season Oct. 19-20 with the Towson Fall Invitational at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, Md.
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