Burns, Goodchild lead Men's Golf to second place after first round of 2015 OAC Championships

By Tim Glon

WEST LAFAYETTE — Senior Colin Burns and freshman Zach Goodchild carded 2-over par 74s to lead Ohio Northern in the first round of the 2015 Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Golf Championships Friday at River Greens Golf Course.

The Polar Bears (40-16 overall) are in second place after 18 of the scheduled 27 holes on the first day of the 3-day championships.

The teams are slated to play 27 holes Friday and Saturday and 18 holes on Sunday to complete the 72-hole championships event.

Through 18 holes, Otterbein leads the team standings with a 297, Ohio Northern is second with a 306, Capital is third with a 310 and Baldwin Wallace and John Carroll are tied for fourth with 311s.

Burns and Goodchild are part of a 4-way tie for second place in the 40-man field.

Otterbein's Austin Wells holds the 18-hole lead with a 1-over par 73.

Senior Ryan Wirtz and freshman Blaine Ricketts are tied for 20th with 79s and junior two-time All-OAC honoree Rick Deichert is tied for 33rd with an 83.

The top 10 finishers and ties will earn All-OAC honors and the team champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships May 12-15 at Greensboro, N.C.

Team Standings

1. Otterbein 297, 2. Ohio Northern 306, 3. Capital 310, t4. Baldwin Wallace 311, t4. John Carroll 311, 6. Mount Union 312, 7. Muskingum 319, 8. Heidelberg 327.

Top 10 Individual Finishers (All-OAC Honorees)

1. Austin Wells (Ott) 73, t2. Colin Burns 74, t2. Zach Goodchild 74, t2. Adam Crider (Ott) 74, t2. Luke Kindelin (Ott) 74, t6. Phillip Martin (Cap) 75, t6. John Schnur (JCU) 75, t8. David Monaco (Ott) 76, t8. Parker McComb (Cap) 76, t8. Weston Lucas (BW) 76, t8. Mat Stuart Musk) 76.

Ohio Northern Individual Results

t2. Colin Burns 74, t2. Zach Goodchild 74, t20. Ryan Wirtz 79, t20. Blaine Ricketts 79, t33. Rick Deichert 83.