Thanks to a stellar performance from ace Keven Fortin-Simard, The University of Memphis men's golf team won the Memphis Intercollegiate title for the second straight year.
Fortin-Simard shot an 8-under-par 208 for the tournament and finished four strokes ahead of the field to claim his second career individual title.
"Keven pretty much carried the team on his back," said head coach Grant Robbins. "To shoot an eight-under (par) on that course is tremendous."
The Tigers entered the final round at the Colonial Country Club south course on Tuesday with a 9-stroke lead over second place Southern Miss.
They finished the day at 9-over-par, which was 11th-best for the round, but managed to hold off the Golden Eagles by 5 shots.
Although The U of M failed to slam the door shut on the competition, Robbins wasn't too upset.
"It's a different mindset with a nine-shot lead," he said. "Maybe we got a little complacent, but I wasn't disappointed. We didn't make any putts coming down the stretch, (that) was the main thing."
As a team, The U of M finished the tournament with a 12-over 876, followed by Southern Miss, Wisconsin, Iowa and Penn St.
As the solidified No. 2 man on the squad, sophomore Ian Rochester came up big for the Tigers as he finished tied for 8th place with a two-over par 218 for the tournament. This was the second top 10 finish of his career.
Between Rochester and Fortin-Simard, the Tigers packed a potent one-two punch.
"We feed off each other," Rochester said. "We both know each other really well."
While the Tigers received solid play from their top two players, the rest of the team didn't fare as well.
"We really need to get more production from our three through five spots," Robbins said. "Someone has to step up."
While Fortin-Simard and Rochester each placed in the top 10 of the field, their next closest teammate, Lewis Clarke, finished tied for 22nd.
"I was extremely frustrated with my last two rounds," Clarke said. "I didn't score very well. We won, though. That is the most important thing."
Clarke said that everyone on the team has talent, but they need to be more consistent.
"It's just about performing in the tournaments," he said. "We're constantly trying to qualify, so when we do make it there is a lot of pressure."
Robbins said that if the team is to be successful in the future, Clarke and the others will have to produce along with Fortin-Simard and Rochester.
The Tigers will compete in the Missouri Bluffs Intercollegiate beginning on Monday.
