University of Toledo and Illinois State Split the Title at Island Resort Intercollegiate

Illinois State’s Valentin Peugnet takes Medalist honors at third annual event

By Tom Lang

The Island Resort Intercollegiate, an up-and-coming top Midwestern tournament, crowned two co-champions in its third year of action – the University of Toledo and Illinois State, which added the individual medalist in Valentin Peugnet. 

Peugnet ran away from the field in the third and final round by shooting 7-under on Labor Day (72-66-65) to place four strokes ahead of Toledo’s NJ Botha (68-69-70-207) and Caleb VanArrogan (72-66-69-207) of Valparaiso. For Peugnet, a native of France, it was his first college tournament win. He was presented with the winner’s plaque by Tony Mancilla, GM of the Island Resort and Casino.

“It’s just positive,” Peugnet said about the win kicking off his fall season. “I’m not trying to think too much about it. Today I played good golf but next week’s a new week and I’ll try to play my best, like I did this week.”

The University of Michigan took third place with a team total of 860, just four strokes behind the co-champs. Wolverine sophomore Hunter Thomson placed T9 and junior Will Anderson (Portage Central) was T11. Kentucky placed fourth, 4 more shots behind the Wolverines.

However, a huge bright spot for Michigan was sophomore Ben Hoagland. He placed fourth overall (72-67-71) playing as an individual and his 6-under was his career best tournament score by 19 shots. 

U-M coach Zach Barlow said: "Ben played great. We need guys to step up in those individual roles and send a message that they want to be in the lineup too. That's how we will get better. I am very happy for him; he has worked so hard."

Toledo coach Jeff Roope said the team was playing well right from the first round. 

“They’ve been playing good golf at home, so it was nice to see them keep that up,” Roope said about his team. “Sage Run is a great course, the conditioning was fantastic and the weather was great. It’s certainly nice to have a good, positive experience to take with us,” to their next event in a few days at Minnesota.

The Island Resort and Casino’s Sweetgrass Golf Course has hosted the LPGA Tour’s EPSON circuit every June for more than 10 years.