The Iowa State men’s golf team took a break from practice in order to play in the team’s first tournament this spring when it traveled to Ocala, Fla., to participate in the Miami of Ohio Invitational March 12-14.

The golf team claimed third place in the tournament, which had an 11- team field, with a team-stroke total of 883.

Iowa State Head Golf Coach Dale Anderson said he was pleased with the tournament results.

“This was our first trip outside,” he said.

“And we had a team average of 73.8, which is pretty low for the first tournament of the year. I was pleased with the way they played.”

Pacing the Cyclones on the course was junior Jason Knutzon, with 217 strokes. His three rounds of 72-72-73 were good enough for fifth place.

“Jason has been consistent all year,” Anderson said. “He hasn’t finished lower than fifth all season.”

Following Knutzon on the individual charts for the Cyclones was senior Donnie Teeter. He posted rounds of 75-75-71 (221) finishing in 11th place.

Senior Travis Korver and sophomore Corey Chambers each compiled a personal total of 230 strokes, tying for 24th place.

Korver opened the tournament with an opening round of 69, followed by rounds of 80 and 81.

“It’s still early in the season,” Anderson said.

Chambers, in his first tournament since last spring, lowered his stroke total in each of the three rounds (79-76-75).

Following Chambers was Jon Levy. Levy finished the tournament with a total of 231 strokes, while freshman Aaron Patton rounded out the team’s score with 232.

Claiming the team title for the tournament was Methodist University, a three-time Division III National Champion.

“They are pretty stout,” Anderson said.

Methodist topped Iowa State by 10 strokes, with a team total of 873 strokes.

Miami of Ohio finished in second place, five strokes behind the medalists with a team total of 878 strokes.

Iowa State will next be in action at the Southwest Missouri State Invitational in Springfield, Mo.

Anderson feels the Cyclones should be the favorite heading into the 18-team tournament.

“I have to think we are the favorite to win,” he said. “We have great talent and great experience, and I would like to think we are positive thinkers.”

But before heading to the tournament, four of the six players will requalify for the right to travel to Springfield.

The two players who receive an exemption from the process are Knutzon and Teeter.

“We exempt all of our players who finish in the top 25 percent,” Anderson said. “So we don’t necessarily exempt our best player.”

“I think our qualifying system is well structured,” Anderson said.

“It begins while we are on the road (at our previous tournament) when the players who do not travel have a prequalifying tournament.”

“The winner of that is allowed to challenge someone on varsity,” he said.

However, the coach said the winner of the prequalifying tournament isn’t the only one allowed to challenge.

In fact, anyone who is within a stroke of the lowest score per 18 holes is allowed to challenge for a varsity spot.

Anderson said he feels the team should gain a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament and has the potential to be the first Cyclone squad ever to participate in the NCAA finals.

“We are currently ranked fourth in our region. So we should be in, unless we fall flat on our face this spring,” he said.

“It will be fun,” Anderson said. “This is my last year and I want to try to make the most of it.”