IndianaGolf.org Coverage | Match Play Results

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The UIndy men's golf team more than put its mark on the 2014 Indiana Golf Association's Match Play Championship this week, as both competitors in Friday's final were Greyhounds.  Sophomore-to-be Evan Stoker bested incoming-freshman Zach Gurtner 3 & 2 to take his first IGA title.
 
"It's a great thing for our program to have two players in the championship match, especially two of our younger players," said head coach Brent Nicoson.  "This should give both of them a lot of confidence heading into the season.  I'm proud of them both."
 
After both Hounds carded top-10 scores in Tuesday's stroke-play qualifier, Stoker and Gurtner set off on a collision course for Friday's final.  Gurtner grabbed the No. 4 seed after firing a four-under 68 Tuesday.  The Bremen, Ind., native then managed four close wins on his way to the final, three of which came down to the final hole.
 
Meanwhile, Stoker, who grabbed the No. 7 seed in the match play bracket, cruised through his draw.  The run included a pair of four-stroke wins, one of which was a 4 & 3 result versus current GLVC-rival and Maryville student-athlete Brad Patz.
 
In Friday's final, Stoker took a two-hole edge after four, but Gurtner came right back to square things through six holes.  Stoker slowly gained separation the rest of the way, however, taking hole Nos. 7, 10 and 13 on the way to the win.
 
The four-day, 65-golfer event was held at The Legends Club in Franklin, Ind.
 
Stoker finished his freshman year this past May by helping the Greyhounds to their second consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference title and 10th straight NCAA Regional berth.  The Richmond, Ind., product averaged 75.7 strokes per round in his first collegiate season while becomng a regular in the UIndy top five in the spring semester.
 
Meanwhile, Gurtner recently wrapped up is prep career with a runner-up effort in at the South Bend Riley sectional and a subsequent regional appearance.  The UIndy recruit hails from Bremen, Ind., and LaVille High School.
 
 
Note: UIndy claimed three of the 32 match-play qualifying spots, as incoming-freshman and Fishers', Ind., native Graham McAree shot even par in the stroke-play portion and won his first match-play pairing before falling to IUPUI's Tyler Davis in the second round.