Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
MAC Championships
Johnny Watts Wins MAC Men?s Golf Championship
May 04, 2015 | Men's Golf
FINAL LEADERBOARD
CHARDON, Ohio -- Ball State freshman Johnny Watts moved into the lead early Sunday and held off challenges from some of the league's best at the Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championships. At the end of a long week, he stood tallest as the first Cardinal in 18 years to win the individual title.
Watts carded a 1-over par 73 in the final round to finish at 1 under (287) over 72 holes on the Sand Ridge Campus of the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club. The Fishers, Ind., product finished one shot clear of Kent State's Ian Holt and Miami's Scott Cahill to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals.
“We weren't looking at scores all week, so I had no idea where we stood individually or team-wise, but my goal was to just go out and shoot around even par and try to keep myself under par for the tournament,” Watts said. “It's humbling to win at such a young age, but I also know I still have a lot of work to do to become a better golfer.”
Miami held onto its overnight lead to win the team championship by eight shots over Toledo at 8 over par for the tournament. The RedHawks' team title and Watts' individual crown snapped a six-year winning streak by Kent State in both categories.
Watts's win guaranteed him a place on the All-MAC First Team and the all-tournament team. Senior McCormick Clouser was named to the All-MAC Second Team and won the Earl Yestingsmeier Sportsman of the Year Award named for the former Ball State coach.
“The sportsman award is one of the highest honors in the conference, and it's special because it is selected by the players,” Ball State coach Mike Fleck said. “McCormick gave our program everything during his time here, and it's nice to see him recognized for how he goes about everything.”
Ball State suffered through its highest round of the tournament as a team Sunday to fall from third place to seventh on the final leaderboard. The Cardinals finished with a four-round total of 1,189 (+37) after a final-round 308. Michael VanDeventer led the Cardinals with a 72 on Sunday, while the team also counted Watts' 73, Tyler Ostrom's 81 and Clouser's 82. Michael Makris shot 83.
Clouser, the 54-hole leader, found trouble early in his round and finished in 14th place at 5 over par for the week. VanDeventer tied for 16th at 7 over to give Ball State three players among the top 20.
Watts grabbed a two-shot lead with a birdie at the par-5 14th hole and faced challenges down the stretch from two of the league's top-ranked players – MAC Player of the Year Chris Selfridge of Toledo and Freshman of the Year Patrick Flavin of Miami. A bogey at the 16th hole cut his lead to one, but a sand save at the 17th hole and a routine par at the closing hole sealed the win.
Watts, who shot up the leaderboard with a 67 a day earlier, became the third Ball State player to win the MAC individual championship, joining Kirk Schooley (1983) and Jamie Broce (1997).
“He was solid from start to finish,” Fleck said. “That 67 in the third round was special. He followed it up today in somewhat of a pressure-filled situation and got the job done.”
Watts will automatically be slotted into the NCAA Noblesville Regional, for which Ball State is the host school. That event will be held May 14-16 at The Sagamore Club, and the full field will be announced Monday at 10 a.m. on Golf Channel's Morning Drive.
Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Awards
All-MAC First Team
Johnny Watts, Ball State
Jose Narro, Bowling Green
Josh Whalen, Kent State
Patrick Flavin, Miami
Otto Black, Toledo
Chris Selfridge, Toledo
All-MAC Second Team
McCormick Clouser, Ball State
Ian Holt, Kent State
Chase Johnson, Kent State
Scott Cahill, Miami
Peyton White, Ohio
Golfer of the Year
Chris Selfridge, Toledo
Freshman of the Year
Patrick Flavin, Miami
Kermit Blosser Coach of the Year
Zac Zedrick, Miami
Earl Yestingsmeier Sportsman of the Year
McCormick Clouser, Ball State
All-Tournament Team
Johnny Watts, Ball State
Ian Holt, Kent State
Scott Cahill, Miami
Patrick Flavin, Miami
Jack Starling, Miami
Peyton White, Ohio
Chris Selfridge, Toledo
Runner-Up Medalist
Ian Holt, Kent State
Scott Cahill, Miami
Individual Champion
Johnny Watts, Ball State
