While participating in the Big Four Championship in Waterloo over the weekend, junior golfer Travis Korver of the Iowa State men’s team became reacquainted with an old spot. However, the team was not as fortunate.

Korver claimed the medalist spot for the fourth time in his Cyclone career and successfully defended his championship at that tournament.

The Cyclones took last place in the four team tournament, just four strokes behind team champion Drake.

Korver, who carded a 108 after 27 holes, bested Bulldog golfer Ben Pettitt and Northern Iowa golfer Mark Campbell, who each shot 110 to tie for runner-up medalist.

“Korver won the tournament in grand style,” Cyclone head coach Dale Anderson said.

Korver said he didn’t have any major problems with the course although there were a few fairway bunkers to contend with. Fortunately his drives were long enough to avoid them, he said.

“I didn’t make many mistakes. I played a solid round,” Korver said. “I was disappointed with the team finish, but we will come around.”

Anderson said he was disappointed the Cyclones weren’t able to play a practice round before the tournament because of a last minute site change.

“We didn’t know about the site change until we arrived at the other golf course to play our practice,” he said. “I am surprised. I expected us to do better in the tournament [as a team].

“There are a couple of critical holes, [5 and 18] that need to be played beforehand.”

The next tournament for the Cyclones will be Sept. 25 and 26 at Lawrence, Kansas in the Kansas Invitational.

“We will have some more qualifying before the Kansas tournament, to see if we can determine what the problem is,” Anderson said. “It is a little different when the gun goes off.”

“Donnie [Teeter] and [Chris] Peterson didn’t play really well in the tournament,” Anderson said.

“Teeter and Peterson are solid players, but we cannot carry bad scores for where we want to be,” Anderson said. “We have a good team and you will probably see an altered lineup for the Kansas Invitational.”

Korver said he was disappointed in the Cyclone’s finish.

“I didn’t feel like we took our best five golfers to the tournament,” Korver said. “Hopefully we can sort it out before we go to Kansas in a couple of weeks.”

ISU totaled 452 strokes for the tournament.

After redshirting last year, sophomore Kerry Niester carded a 113, while fellow sophomore Jason Knutzon added a 114. Others for the Cyclones included senior Peterson who carded a 117, while junior Teeter added a 119.

Drake, the team title winner, totaled 448 strokes for the tournament. The Bulldogs were lead by Pettitt’s 110.

UNI and the University of Iowa each had a team total of 451 strokes to tie for second in the team title chase.

“There are no excuses about our play at this tournament,” Anderson said.

“All of the teams played well in the tournament,” Anderson said. “All of the teams averaged 75s [strokes]. Any team could have won the tournament.”

Korver said he looks forward to the Kansas tournament in two weeks where he hopes to defend his medalist honors at that tournament also.

“Hopefully I can defend my championship,” Korver said.

Anderson said the Cyclones should place higher at the Kansas tournament.

“I expect us to play well at Kansas, and I expect to be in the upper part of the standings in Lawrence,” Anderson said.