March 31, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (Mar. 31, 2008) - The University of Northern Colorado won the team championship at the Colorado School of Mines Spring Invitational on Monday, March 31st, at Fox Hollow Golf Course (par 71) in Lakewood.

The Bears, who began the second and final day of competition in third place, recorded a team score of 283 (-1) on Monday en route to a three-stroke victory over Montana State University - Billings.  NC concluded the CSM Spring Invitational with a team stroke total of 611 (+39) while the runner-up Yellowjackets finished at 614 (+42).  The Colorado Christian University Cougars (621; +49), who sat just one stroke out of first place after Sunday's opening round at Bear Creek Golf Course (par 72) in Lakewood, placed third.  Tournament host Colorado School of Mines (665; +93) took sixth place.

"I am very excited about the team's performance," said NC head coach Chuck Scheinost. "We struggled earlier this spring and this was great especially in the cold and snowy conditions."

NC's Stephen Bidne topped the individual leaderboard and earned medalist honors with his two-day stroke total of 145 (+2).  Bidne, who was tied for eighth place after round one, registered a seven-under-par 64, which ties the school record for lowest round, to come away with a one-stroke victory over CCU's Clifton Sebra (73, 73; +3) and Patrick Kent (77, 69; +3).  The University of Colorado's Riley Andrews (77, 70; +4), who competed as an individual, took fourth place while the Yellowjackets' Michael Konrad (77, 73; +7) finished fifth.

"I am pleased with Stephen's performance," Scheinost said. "We needed someone to step it up today and he still could have been two or three strokes better."

Monday's round, which was initially scheduled to be played at Red Rocks Country Club, was moved to Fox Hollow due to inclement weather and poor playing conditions in Morrison.  Monday's competition was also reduced from 36 holes to 18 holes due to the relocation.