DALLAS (SMU) - Kent State University shot a three-round score of 871 to win the 1999 SMU Stonebridge "Big E" Shootout in McKinney, Texas. Kent led by six strokes entering today's final round and turned in the best score of the day to defeat second-place North Texas (883) by 12 strokes. Aaron Pellegrom of Baylor was the individual medalist with a72-hole 207. His third round score of one-under par 71 made him one of just two golfers (along with Texas-Arlington's Adam Babb) to break par on the day. Pellegrom finished one stroke ahead of Kent State's Ben Curtis. Babb finished third with a 68-73-71=212.
Trailing Kent State and North Texas in the team competition were Texas A&M (884), Baylor (889) and Louisiana - Lafayette (892). SMU, the host and defending team champion, finished seventh with an 898.
SMU sophomore Nicholas Loar carded a 219 to pace the Mustangs and finished in a tie for seventh place. Sophomore Jerome Theunis also placed in the top 20 for SMU. His third round total of 73 was the best by a Mustang and gave him a 222. He tied for 17th place, his best career finish. Freshman Ryan Abbate carded a 75-74-76=225 in his first collegiate tournament, placing in a tie for 21st. Five freshmen competed in the tournament for SMU.
The Mustangs compete in the Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., October 1-2.
Top 10 Teams Top 10 Individuals SMU Participants
1. Kent State 871 1. Aaron Pellegrom, Baylor 207 T7. Nicholas Loar 219
2. North Texas 883 2. Ben Curtis, Kent State 208 T17. Jerome Theunis 222
3. Texas A&M 884 3. Adam Babb, UTA 212 T21. Ryan Abbate 225
4. Baylor 889 4. Lance Dunaway, S.F.A. 216 T24. Doug McKeever 226
5. La.- Lafayette 892 5. Matt Lindholm, Texas A&M 217 T28. John Wagner 227
6. S.F. Austin 896 6. Jon Mills, Kent State 218 T33. Grant Farrell 228
7. SMU 898 7. Neal Collins, North Texas 219 T37. Franklin Hatchett 229
8. UTA 902 Daniel Fox, Ark. - Little Rock 219 T40. Stephen Sparolini 230
9. Rice 904 Nicholas Loar, SMU 219 T73. Brock Mulder 239
10. SMU (2) 908 Dustin Risdon, Kent State 219 T80. Karl Hansen 244
T80. Matt Dalrymple 244
