Michigan Men Open the Season with Two Tournament Wins
By Tom Wywrot
For the first time in 18 years, the University of Michigan men's golf team posted back-to-back team victories, adding the program's first back-to-back individual medalists to complete a historic weekend at Sage Run Golf Club over the Labor Day holiday.
The Wolverines carded a 276 (-12) final-round total finishing at 823 (41-under par) to cruise to the Island Resort Intercollegiate title by 25 shots Labor Day weekend. Junior RJ Arone captured his first collegiate title with a career-low 202 (-14), while freshman Spencer Shropshire was the runner-up at 204 (-12) leading three Wolverines among the top 10.
After opening the fall season with a career-best tie for third, Arone took command at Sage Run. His 202 (-14) tied for the fourth-lowest 54-hole total in program history, as he recorded just two bogeys across 54 holes to go with 16 birdies and 36 pars. He opened with a 66 (-6), added a 67 (-5) and closed with a 69 (-3).
Michigan's victory follows the prior weekend's season-opening title at the Virtues Intercollegiate, marking back-to-back team wins. The Island Resort triumph is the seventh team title under head coach Zach Barlow, while Arone's victory represents the program's 13th individual medalist crown during his tenure.
In his first collegiate start, Shropshire came out firing, playing his opening nine holes at 4-under before closing with a 69 (-3) in the first round. He followed with a career-low 67 (-5) to sit fourth after the opening day at 136 (-8). Saving his best for last, Shropshire carded a bogey-free 68 (-4) in the final round, recording 14 pars and four birdies to earn a runner-up finish at 204 (-12).
Fresh off his season-opening victory at the Virtues Intercollegiate, junior Nilay Naik tied for 11th with a 211 (-5) total at Island Resort. Junior Dean Muratore finished two spots ahead of Naik, tying for ninth at 210 (-6). Sophomore Jordan Hwang (74-73-68) helped all five Wolverine starters finish under par, tying for 23rd at 215 (-1).
