FERRIS STATE TAKES FIRST PLACE AT GLIAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ferris State sophomore Alex Balog was runner-up for top individual medalist honors as the Bulldogs won their 18th conference title.

The Ferris State men's golf team won its 18th Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title and first since 2001 as the Bulldogs recorded an 11-shot victory in Sunday's (Oct. 10) final round to finish with a 917 team score (+53) on the par 72, 7,136-yard Blackberry Patch Golf Club in Coldwater, Mich.

FSU, under sixth-year head coach Brad Bedortha, maintained its top position among the 12 competing league schools by producing opening rounds of 304 and 312 in Saturday's (Oct. 9) 36-hole event to move into first place. In 2003, the Bulldogs placed second at the GLIAC Championships in Erie, Pa., as a result of losing a playoff to Wayne State as both teams completed regulation play with a three-round 884 score.

Claiming runner-up honors was Findlay (928, +64) followed by Grand Valley State (932, +68) and Saginaw Valley State (937, +73).

Sophomore Alex Balog was Ferris' top individual golfer, finishing two strokes behind Wayne State's Ryan Johnson for medalist honors. Balog carded a seven-over par 223 (71-78-74--223).

Three other Bulldogs finished among the Top 20. Junior Todd Griffin tied for seventh place with a 14-over par 230 (82-74-74--230) and junior Derek Radley tied for 13th at 233 (77-80-76--233, +17). Sophomore Kyle Mason placed 16th as a result of firing a 234 (75-81-78--234, +18).

Sophomore Jeff Carlson, who shot a final-round 77 score, finished in a two-way deadlock for 23rd place with a 238 score (81-80-77--238, +22).