Silvis, Illinois -- Following victories in their first three meets of the spring season, Indian Hills had to settle for a fifth-place finish at the TPC Deere Run Invitational. The team champ was Taylor University, whom the Warriors had defeated by 17 strokes in the Indiana school's own tournament a week earlier.
Taylor posted a team score of 576, 18 shots better than IHCC. The margin was nine after the opening round, before the Warriors struggled to a 307 total on Saturday.
Indian Hills was led by Julien Sale, who was coming off a win at Taylor's tourney. Sale got off to a great start with a 5-under par 66 and a share of the lead after the opening 18 holes. His 78 in the second round left Sale at 144, two-over for the tournament and in a tie for 7th place.
IHCC's next-best round to Sale's 66 was a one-over par 72 by Ricky Sanders to open the tourney. Sanders came back with a 77 for a 149 total and a tie for 25th. Joe Kim had consecutive rounds of 74 and was in a tie for 20th place.
Two Warriors -- George Clarke and Joe Hodgson -- tied for 57th with their 155 scores.
There were 23 schools thatparticipated in the event.
Indian Hills is idle until playing in the Beu/Mussatto Invitational, hosted by Western Illinois University, on Apr. 16-17 in Macomb, Ill.
TPC Deere Run Invitational
Team scores (top 10):
- Taylor 278-298=576; 2. Northwestern Ohio 281-305=586; 3. Iowa Western 298-289=587; 4. Lindsey Wilson 286-305=591; 5. Indian Hills 287-307=594; T6. Culver-Stockton 293-305=598; T6. Cumberlands 298-300=598; T6. William Woods 292-306=598; 9. Midland 294-305=599; 10. Mt. Mercy 298-302=600
Indian Hills scores:
T7. Julien Sale 66-78=144; T20. Joe Kim 74-74-148; T25. Ricky Sanders 72-77=149; T57. George Clarke 77-78=155; T57. Joe Hodgson 75-80=155