X marks the spot for golfers' best nish yet - fth

The young Michigan men's golf team grew up a little bit this week. The Wolverines placed a season-best fifth out of 19 teams at the Xavier Invitational in Kings IsleMason, Ohio.

The Wolverines shot an 877 on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, just nine strokes behind tournament winner Eastern Michigan. Big Ten rival Indiana finished second with a score of 870, while hometown favorites Cincinnati and Xavier finished third and fourth with scores of 871 and 875, respectively.

Michigan coach Jim Carras called the Wolverines' performance in Cincinnati "the best tournament we've played all season."

Tournament medalist honors went to Georgetown's Tristan Lewis, who defeated Xavier's Steve Dixon in a playoff. Both players carded rounds of five-under for the tournament.

SARA SCHENCK/Daily Michigan's Michael Harris shot a 217 at the Xavier Invitational to lead Michigan. Harris finished the tournament in 10th place.

Michigan was once again led by junior captain Michael Harris. Harris finished the tournament with a three-round total score of 217, his second-best score of the season. Harris' 10th-place finish was highlighted by a one-under-par 70 in the first round. Freshman Andy Matthews continued to impress Carras, finishing 26th overall. Matthews fired a 221 total for the tournament and carried the Wolverines yesterday, shooting a one-under-par 70.

Carras continued to juggle the Wolverines' lineup, inserting true freshman Andy Chapman into the lineup this week. Chapman shot a 223 total in his Michigan debut, which placed him 39th overall.

"I'm very, very pleased with the play of the freshmen Matthews and Chapman," Carras said. "I'm especially pleased with the play of Andy Chapman in his first college tournament."

Sophomore Scott Hayes and freshman Kyle Kilcherman rounded out the scores for the Wolverines - both posted scores of 224, good enough for 44th place. And although the young Wolverines have yet to win a tournament, Carras remains optimistic.

"Every week is different in college golf," Carras said. "In the last couple of weeks, teams have been coming out of nowhere to win tournaments. Who knows it could be us one of these weeks."

With Harris a virtual lock to put up three solid rounds, the key to success for the Wolverines is the play of the freshmen.

"You have to remember we have three players starting for us who two months ago had never played a round of college golf," Carras said. "The experience they are gaining is irreplaceable."

The Wolverines will continue to gain experience as they face what Carras calls "the toughest competition of the season," when they travel to Palo Alto, Calif. for the Stanford Invitational, completing the fall season.

10-14-98