Butler's Denner, St. John's Wang Take Weekly Golf Honors
NEW YORK – Butler’s Michael Denner has been named BIG EAST Male Golfer of the Week and St. John’s Linda Wang has been selected BIG EAST Female Golfer of the Week. Both golfers competed at the Butler-hosted Benbow Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla.
BIG EAST Male Golfer of the Week
Michael Denner, Butler, So.
Denner tied for second at the Benbow Invitational at the Blue Sky Golf Club in Jacksonville, Fla. He carded a 68 on Tuesday after firing a 74 on Monday of this week. His 68 was the best round of the day by two shots. He finished at two-under 142 for the tournament, one stroke behind Albany State's Tyler Hanson (71-70—141). Denner played as an individual. Butler's scoring five placed second in the four-team field. The Bulldogs posted rounds of 305 and 289. The team's Tuesday score of 289 was the best in the event.
BIG EAST Female Golfer of the Week
Linda Wang, St. John’s, So.
Wang carded a combined 147 (75-72) over two rounds of play to claim medalist honors and lead the Johnnies to a first-place finish at the Benbow Invitational. Wang got the win in a three-hole playoff against Butler’s Kelsey McDougall and Lauren Tibbets. After all three golfers came away with a par on the first two extra holes, Wang drained an 18-foot birdie putt to claim the individual title.
BIG EAST Women’s Notes
Butler’s McDougall shot a 71 in the second round of the Benbow Invitational after carding a 76 in the opening round. Tibbets shot rounds of 72 and 75. As a team, Butler finished second to St. John’s. The Red Storm shot 606 (306-300). Butler was six strokes back at 612 (305-307).
BIG EAST Men’s Notes
Villanova’s Connor Daly had the best score overall for the Wildcats in an 18-hole stroke play match against Coastal Georgia A and B teams as well as St. Joseph’s College (Maine). The sophomore shot a 69 (-3) to not only lead the team, but the entire 25-man field. Daly, the team captain, earned a medal for his score. Villanova placed second as a team with a score of 302 (+14)…Xavier took 11th place at the Pinehurst Intercollegiate. Freshman Garrett Wood place 14th with a 10-over-par 223 (75-74-75-223).
For The BIG EAST Golf Championships Presented by Jeep this spring, the conference will return to the Callawassie Golf Club in Callawassie S.C. The women’s championship will be held April 20-22. The men’s championship is April 29-May 1.