Cardinals Go Low to Grab Early Lead at Golfweek Conference Challenge

Sunday, September 15

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Cedar Rapids CC)

Ball State University

Golfweek Conference Challenge

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Cardinals Go Low to Grab Early Lead at Golfweek Conference Challenge

September 15, 2019 | Men's Golf

Joey Ranieri’s 68 leads three rounds in the 60’s for BSU on day one in Iowa

Leaderboard | Rd. 2 Pairings (BSU Monday tee times starting at 11 a.m. CT/Noon ET)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Behind scores in the 60's from Joey Ranieri, Yianni Kostouros and Keegan Bronnenberg, the Ball State men's golf team opened the season Sunday with its best round in relation to par in a decade.

The Cardinals posted a 9-under-par 279 on the first day of the Golfweek Conference Challenge to grab the lead by four strokes over host Iowa. It was the deepest into red figures BSU had gone since a 13-under 275 at Xavier's 2009 Renaissance Invitational.

Ranieri led the way with a bogey-free 68 on the Donald Ross Course at Cedar Rapids Country Club to match the low round of his career. Last year's MAC Freshman of the Year finished the day in a tie for second place, two shots off the early pace set by Arkansas State's Zan Luka Stirn.

Kostouros and Bronnenberg both shot 69 to close the opening round tied for sixth. Bronnenberg birdied six of his first 11 holes, while Kostouros used an eagle on the par-5 ninth as a springboard to his career-best round. The Cardinals also counted CJ Jones' 73, highlighted by three birdies in a four-hole stretch of the back nine.

This week's 16-team field features seven squads that finished last year ranked among the top 100 in the country. The action continues with the second round Monday and the final round Tuesday. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.

For the latest on Ball State men's golf, follow @BallStateMGolf on Twitter and @BallStateMenGolf on Instagram.

Top Teams (16-team field)
1. Ball State, 279 (-9)
2. Iowa, 283 (-5)
3. Campbell, 284 (-4)
4. Arkansas State, 288 (E)
T5. UMKC, 289 (+1)
T5. Jacksonville State, 289 (+1)

Ball State Scores
T2. Joey Ranieri, 68 (-4)
T6. Yianni Kostouros, 69 (-3)
T6. Keegan Bronnenberg, 69 (-3)
T32. CJ Jones, 73 (+1)
T45. Tyler Green*, 74 (+2)
92. Jack Cunningham, 81 (+9)

*competing as an individual