Huskers to Complete Fall Slate at 49er Classic

The Nebraska men's golf team will complete its 2004 fall schedulle next week, when the Huskers take part in the 49er Collegiate Classic. The 54-hole tournament is scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday at Skybrook Golf Course in Huntersville, N.C., and will be hosted by the University of Charlotte.

Nebraska has produced solid results throughout the fall schedule, but needs a strong finish to put it in good position heading into the spring season. The Huskers finished fifth or higher in their first three tournaments of the fall, but have finished ninth and 11th in their last two outings.

The Huskers enter next week's tournament ranked 96th in the latest Golf Channel.com collegiate rankings. Among other teams in the 15-team field, host Charlotte is ranked 86th, while UNC Greensboro is listed 79th and Marquette is ranked 80th.

Coach Bill Spangler will be without the services of one of his top golfers as sophomore Brady Schnell will miss Nebraska's final meet of the fall. Schnell recently underwent surgery to repair damage to his left knee, but is expected to be back for the start of the spring campaign.

In Schnell's absence, Spangler will lean even more heavily on junior Judd Cornell who owns Nebraska's best stroke average at 73.1 strokes per round. Sophomore Tom Bethel has also picked up his play in recent tournaments. Bethel is averaging 75.5 strokes per round this fall, with six of his last nine rounds 75 or lower. The Huskers have once again had strong competition within the team for the final spots in the lineup.

Nebraska finished seventh in a 12-team field last year at the 49er Collegiate Classic. The Huskers posted their second-best team score of the 2003-04 campaign, completing three rounds with an 874 total, including a season-low 284 in the second round. Cornell finished in a tie for 21st place with a 218 total, including a round of 70 in the second round.

Nebraska will resume its 2004-05 season in the spring, beginning with the Rice Intercollegiate on Feb. 7-8.

Squire Creek Intercollegiate Recap

Nebraska finished 11th in the 17-team field at the Squire Creek Intercollegiate in Choudrant, La., on Oct. 18-19. The Huskers had a tough start to the tournament with rounds of 304 and 310 on day one, before rebounding with a 296 in the final round. The Huskers' 910 total, was 31 strokes behind team champion Texas-Arlington.

Individually, Nebraska was led by sophomore Brady Schnell who finished tied for 33rd with a 227 total. Tom Bethel closed the tournament with a 73 to finish tied for 38th at 228, while Judd Cornell and Chris Bruening were another shot back at 229 and tied for 44th place.