Sport in world

Leathernecks set to host annual Beu/Mussatto Invitational

July 2, 2008 on 9:22 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. The Western Illinois men’s golf team will be playing on its home course for the second time during the 2007-08 season when it hosts the Beu/Mussatto Invitational, April 4-5, at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course.

“We are excited to be playing at home. It gives the players family and friends a chance to see them play,” said head coach Mel Blasi. “This year it also gives us a chances to play in a competitive tournament on our home course in a year when we are playing the conference tournament at home.”

The Leathernecks will have two teams competing in the 54-hole tournament, along with teams from 15 other schools. Other schools participating are The Summit League foes IUPUI, Oakland, and South Dakota State; Chicago State, St. Francis, Green Bay and Loyola from NCAA Division I; Division II Truman State; Division III Maryville University; NAIA members Lindenwood, Robert Morris College, and St. Ambrose; along with Illinois Central College, Indiana Hills College, and Parkland College from NJCAA.

The tournament is named for former Western Illinois president Dr. Frank Beu and legendary head golf coach Harry Mussatto. Dr. Beu served as WIU President from 1942-1958, a time period during which athletics flourished. Mussatto coached the Leathernecks for 34 years (1951-85) and was nicknamed the “Dean of Golf.” He produced nine NAIA All-Americans and eight NCAA Honorable Mention All-Americans while guiding the 1959 team to a NAIA National Championship.

Play begins with a shotgun start, Friday, April 4 at 8:30 a.m. Round two takes place in the afternoon, with the final round of competition set for 7:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5.

Western is coming off a ninth-place finish at the Hoosier Invitational, which was shortened to 36 holes due to rain. Jared Steger and Kyle Peterman have led the Leathernecks in 2008. Steger has a stroke average of 74.5, while Peterman is close behind him with a 75.7 stroke average. The duo has also combined for six top-10 finishes.

“Jared Steger and Kyle Peterman have shown that they are the most consistent players on our team. Jason Woll and Brian Scott have also been major contributors,” said Blasi. “We are looking forward to find out who is going to become our top five players that will be going to compete in the conference championship.”

Originaly from Source