The University of Missouri men's golf team finished in second place today at the Fairway Club Invitational, a 12-team tournament played at Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb. The Tigers held a four-stroke team lead heading into today's final round, but their bid for the tourney title eluded them, as Sam Houston State came roaring back to claim the victory, shooting a final-round team score of 281, to MU's 293. The 12-stroke difference gave Sam Houston a three-round final score of 882, which was just seven shots better than Missouri's 889.

Nonetheless, it was a fine showing for Head Coach Tim Robyn and his squad, which went to battle with one senior, two juniors and two freshmen. "This was a great start to the season," said Robyn, who is in his third year as MU's head coach. "The guys really wanted to win, but they know what it's going to take to hold on to a lead. To be in position to win a tournament is all you can ask for," he said.

A trio of Tigers notched top-10 individual finishes, with senior Tom Vogt, freshman Brandon Knaub and sophomore Shawn Fleming all tied for eighth place with identical three-round totals of 221. Vogt shot a four-over par 75 in today's final round, after opening yesterday with rounds of 72 and 74. Knaub shot a similar 75 today, after posting an even-par 71 and a 75 yesterday in his first collegiate action. Fleming was one over on the day, finishing with a 72 on Tuesday, after shooting rounds of 75 and 74 on Monday. Fleming competed as an individual, meaning his scores did not count toward MU's team efforts. Had he been in the lineup, Mizzou would have cut 11 strokes from its team score, which would have been enough for the team title.

Junior Mark McBride, the reigning Missouri State Amateur Champion, shot a one-under par 70 on Tuesday, and finished with a three-round total of 224, which put him in 14th place overall.

Junior Neal Stafford was next for MU, as he finished tied for 35th place with a 231 total. Stafford shot a two-over 73 on Tuesday, his best effort of the tournament.

Rounding out the Tiger contingent was freshman Michael Radek, who shot an 80 today, after opening on Monday with rounds of 72 and 83. His three-round total of 235 left him tied for 48th place.

The Tiger men are off until playing in the Kansas Invitational, Sept. 25-26 at Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, Kan. Missouri is the defending tournament champion.

TEAM STANDINGS
Pl	Team	 1st	2nd 	3rd	Total
 1	Sam Houston St.	296	305	281	882
 2	MISSOURI	294	302	293	889
 3	UNC-Charlotte	294	306	292	892
 4	Nebraska	298	307	295	900
 5	Kansas St.	310	296	299	905
 6	Michigan St.	303	300	307	910
 	Lamar	 302	307	301	910
 8	Illinois St.	301	312	302	915
 9	SW Missouri St.	302	313	305	920
10	La.-Lafayette	298	312	314	924
11	Drake	 318	312	297	927
12	Iowa St.	315	310	305	930

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
Pl	Player (School)	 1st	2nd	3rd	Tot
 1	Bryan Milberger (KSU)	74	69	71	214
 2	Jon Antunes (SHSU)	73	75	67	215
 8	Tom Vogt (MU)	 72	74	75	221
	Brandon Knaub (MU)	71	75	75	221
	*Shawn Fleming (MU)	75	74	72	221
14	Mark McBride (MU)	79	75	70	224
35	Neal Stafford (MU)	80	78	73	231
48	Michael Radek (MU)	72	83	80	235

*-Competed as an individual