Macomb, Illinois -- Indian Hills made it four wins in five tries this spring with a six-shot win over Iowa Western in the Beu/Mussatto Invitational, hosted by Western Illinois University. The Warriors had a one-stroke advantage over Cardinal Stritch at the mid-point of the tourney, then posted a 289 total in the second round, the lowest team score of the meet, to widen their lead over both Iowa Western and Cardinal Stritch.
Ricky Sanders led Indian Hills' title run with his tie for third place and Julien Sale and Maxime Leclerc were in a three-way tie for fifth. Sanders fired a one-under par 71 in the second round. Sale matched that with a 71 the first day when he wound up all alone in first place. And Leclerc shot an even-par 72 to close the tourney at the Harry Mussatto Golf Club.
IHCC took the team title in its first three meets this spring, then came in 5th at the TPC Deere Run Invitational in its last outing.
The victory at the Beu/Mussatto was the first for an Indian Hills squad there since 2012. They were the runner-up at the meet last year.
The Warriors, the top-ranked team in the Bushnell Golfweek NJCAA Division I Coaches Poll, now set their sights on the postseason. They will play in the District III Championship at the Sand Creek Station course in Newton, Kans. Apr. 23-24.
Beu/Mussatto Invitational
Team scores (top 10):
- Indian Hills 301-289=590; 2. Iowa Western 303-293=596; 3. William Woods 304-298=602; 4. Cardinal Stritch 302-301=603; 5. Western Illinois 312-298=610; 6. Culver-Stockton 316-301=617; 7. Kansas Wesleyan 315-303=618; 8. North Dakota 316-316=632; 9. Chicago State 320-319=639; T10. Governor's State 318-328=646; T10. St. Ambrose 330-316=646
Indian Hills scores:
T3. Ricky Sanders 76-71=147; T5. Julien Sale 71-77=148; T5. Maxime Leclerc 76-72=148; T17. Joe Kim 78-74=152; T21. George Clarke 81-72=153; T30 Peder Brunnsjo 79-75=154