MARION, Iowa --- University of St. Francis opened its 2009-2010 men's golf campaign registering a seventh-place finish at the Mount Mercy College (Iowa) Cropper Classic over the weekend at Hunters Ridge Golf Course.
The Saints tied St. Ambrose University's (Iowa) second entrant with both teams shooting a two-round score of 596. USF broke that number down into identical rounds of 298 over the two days.
The 596 total left both teams just missing out on a sixth-place finish, one stroke behind Central College (Iowa).
Led by individual medalist Nick Wilson, who authored rounds of 67 and 70, William Woods University (Mo.) captured the 20-team meet firing rounds of 286 and 290 for a two-day total of even-par 576. That was four strokes better than second-place Illinois Wesleyan University and 12 strokes better than St. Ambrose's first entrant. Lindenwood University's (Mo.) two teams tied each other for fourth place with 592 totals.
Junior Drew Anderson (Lockport H.S./Lockport, IL) led the Saints with a two-day score of 146. Anderson shot par - 72 - on Saturday, where he left the course tied for tenth place overall. He finished in a five-way tie for 12th place after shooting a two-over par 74 on Sunday. His even-par round of 72 on Saturday included a second nine of 31. That 31 established a USF record for the lowest 9-hole score by a Saints' individual in tournament play.
Newcomer Martin Hetelle (Joliet Junior College/Seneca, IL) also fared well for the Saints in his debut placing in a three-way tie for 20th overall with rounds of 75 and 73.
Sophomore Grant Whybark (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) was two strokes behind Hetelle at 150, while senior Steve Sourigno (Joliet Catholic Academy/Joliet, IL) rounded out USF's scoring with his matching 77's.
The Saints make their home debut on Tuesday hosting their annual Fall Classic at 11 a.m. at Wedgewood Golf Course in Plainfield, Ill.