ASHLAND, Ohio - The SVSU men’s golf team was in action this past weekend, traveling to Ohio to compete in the Ashland University Invitational.

The Invitational showcased nine teams and was the first three-round tournament the Cardinals have competed in so far this spring. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they were unable to get into any kind of groove and finished the weekend in sixth place with a 73 over par 937.

Ferris State finished in first by shooting a 15-over 879, only four strokes better than second place Wayne State. The tournament’s host, Ashland, finished third with a 23-over 887 while Findlay University shot 922, 58-over par and good enough to put them in fourth.

The Cardinals found themselves in 5th place after the first round of play, coming in with a score of 308, their best of the tournament. Senior Kasey Hocquard (Cheboygan, Mich.) led Saginaw, shooting an even par 72, only two strokes behind the leaders, Eric Lilleboe and Garret Simons, both from Ferris. Ferris and Wayne State found themselves tied for the lead after the first round, both with a score of 287.

The Cardinals came in after the second round with a score of 309, making their total score for the tournament 617 and dropping them into 6th, only one stroke behind Northwood. Sophomore Nate Kelly (Suttons Bay, Mich.) led the Cardinals with a 2 over par 74. Kelbi Lee of Ferris was the rounds best shooter with a 2-under par 70. Ferris broke the tie with Wayne State and found themselves in the lead after shooting a 287 again in the second round.

Saginaw, like most teams in the tournament, came in with their worst score of the weekend on Sunday, a 32-over par 320. Nate Kelly led the Cardinals with a score of 78 and Kasey Hocquard was right behind him with a 79. Wayne State’s Steve Cuzzort led the field on the day and for the weekend, finishing at 3-under par for the round and for the tournament.

Kasey Hocquard shot consistently in the 70’s and led the Cardinals for the weekend, finishing tied for 12th with a 12-over par 228. Nate Kelly also shot well and finished tied for 26th with a score of 234, 18 strokes over par. Junior Rob Rank (Clarkston, Mich.) tied for 31st with a 21 over par 237 and Dieter Schulz (Port Huron, Mich.) finished 36th with a 240, 24 strokes over par. Sophomore Mike Horn (Clarkston, Mich.) finished with a score of 247, 31 strokes over par and good enough to tie him for 45th.

The Cardinal golf team will be in action again this weekend, April 4-5, at the NCAA DII Regional Tournament in Highland Heights, KY.