Kansas City
Mark Simpson Invitational (hosted by Colorado)
Rozner Wins Mark Simpson Invitational; ?Roos Co-Champs
9/29/2015 4:44:00 PM | Men's Golf
(Kansas City, Mo.) – Antoine Rozner continued his hot play to start the year as the senior was the individual medalist at the Mark Simpson Invitational, leading UMKC men's golf to a co-championship with host Colorado at the Boulder Country Club in Boulder, Colo.
"It is an honor to win the event with Coach Mark Simpson's name on it," Head Coach J.W. VanDenBorn said. "He was everything good about college golf. I am so proud of these guys. They played some great clutch golf on a tough setup this week. We knew we would have to play well today to hold off a very good Colorado team at home. It was back and forth all day and the guys responded everyone it was needed."
After finishing fifth last week in the season opening Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational, Rozner won his third collegiate event after firing a -2, 208, tied for the seventh lowest tournament score in school history.
"I played really solid these last two days," Rozner said. "My short game was really good and that helped me to save a lot of pars and keep myself in good position. I'm also very happy with the way I battled back on the back nine, after 10 holes I thought I didn't have any chance to get the win, but I knew we were close as a team, so we needed something to happen. We have a team full of talent this year and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season. I am very happy with this win."
Rozner started off the event on Monday with his low round, a 68 that included a pair of birdies on both the front and back nine. In round two, the Paris, France native matched his birdie total from round one, including carding his second straight birdies on the course's two par-5's of 2 and 12.
"What can I say about Antoine?," VanDenBorn added. "I am more impressed with his game every time he tees it up. Days like today are why we coach. Our team grew today and learned more about themselves. I am just very proud of how we responded today."
In the Tuesday's final round, Rozner started off slow, firing three bogeys and no birdies over the first 10 holes before turning his round around by birdying five of the next six holes to reclaim the lead. Rozner followed by parring the final two holes to claim the title by a shot over Wyoming's Kamrin Allen.
In just his second ever event as a 'Roo, Jakob Garstecki finished three shots back of Rozner, in fourth spot at +1. In round one, the junior teed off on hole 10 and, after a bogey on 10 and a par on 11, proceeded to birdie five of the next nine holes, leading to a first round 68. After a second round 74 that was highlighted by an eagle on 12, Garstecki matched Rozner's third round 69, notching four birdies, including his final one of the day on the par-4 18.
Freshman Francois Lagraulet gave the 'Roos a third top-5 finisher, as the 'Roos second Frenchman tied for fifth at +2. After a birdie-free round one of 74, Lagraulet rebounded in round two with a five birdie, 67 that tied for the lowest round in the entire tournament. Lagraulet then closed out his tournament with a final round 71 that included two birdies on both the front and back nine.
Cameron Wiltse, meanwhile, carded the Kangaroos' fourth best score, registering a top-20 result after tying for 16th. Wiltse opened the event with an even par 70 and followed with a 71 in round two to close out day one with five birdies. In the final round, the senior finished the event with a 75.
Rounding out the UMKC lineup was the 'Roos third player from France, Thibault Vieilledent who finished the tournament in 65th at +21.
Playing as an individual, meanwhile, Matthew Sieg tied for 14th at +5 after rounds of 73, 71 and 71.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Oct. 11-12 when they welcome in team to Kansas City for the Bill Ross Intercollegiate at Milburn Country Club.
