KU golf team takes fourth place

? Nate Barbee’s fifth-place finish helped propel the Kansas University men’s golf team to a fourth-place finish Saturday at the Desert Shootout.

The team fired its second straight score of 279, which marks its top two rounds of the year.

“I am very pleased with how the guys played this week,” coach Kit Grove said. “This is our most complete effort as a team as each guy turned in at least one solid round for us.”

Barbee carded his third straight under-par round with a final-day 67. Barbee has recorded three top-10 finishes on the year.

“Nate was just a rock for us this week,” Grovesaid. “He only made two bogeys all week, and that is very impressive over 54 holes.”

Freshman Blake Giroux also fired three straight under-par rounds, finishing with a 71 to finish tied for 16th place. The finish marks the second top-20 finish of the year for the Omaha, Neb., native.

Senior Walt Koelbel rebounded from an opening-round 76 to fire two rounds of par or better to finish tied for 33rd. Junior Bryan Hackenberg finished strong with a final-day 69 to finish tied for 42nd.

Freshman Ian Anson shot a 74 to finish the tournament tied for 58th place. Junior Patrick Roth, who competed in the event as an individual, shot a 74 to also finish tied for 58th place.