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Golf: Making the turnDan McDonald, Daily Advertiser, March 7, 2012 Philipp Fendt played the final home-tournament round of his collegiate career Tuesday, and it gave him a world of satisfaction — even though he knew it could have been much better. UL’s senior standout carded a three-under-par 69 Tuesday in the final round of UL’s own Louisiana Classics Tournament at Oakbourne, and finished in third place individually against that tournament’s annually-strong field. It was his second straight top-five finish in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ only home event of the year, following a tie for fourth one year ago. But for Fendt, Tuesday’s finish marked a lot more than a one-place improvement in the past year. "This one wasn’t stressful at all," said the senior from Vienna, Austria. "I’m happy with the way I hit the ball both days, and I’m happy with my mental approach. It’s much better than the approach I had last year." It’s not like Fendt didn’t have a solid 2011 season. He and teammate Andrew Noto both made the NCAA Tournament field as individuals, and Fendt was the Cajuns’ individual leader eight different times during the fall and spring seasons including four top-eight tournament finishes. But Cajun coach Theo Sliman knows what Fendt is capable of doing, both in his final collegiate spring and in whatever golf comes after his college career. "He’s been a sponge for four years," Sliman said after Tuesday’s completion of play in the Louisiana Classics. "One of our main goals is to learn and apply every round, and that’s been him since he got off the plane four years ago. He’s applied what he’s learned, and he’s going to finish off his senior year very strongly." Tuesday’s final Classics round was an indication of that. On a wind-swept day that made Oakbourne a tricky place to score, Fendt posted three birdies over the back side’s final six holes and finished at 73-68-69—210 for the tournament. "I hit it great all three rounds," Fendt said. "My putting held me back the first round "» the conditions yesterday (for Monday’s 36 holes) were pretty easy, but the winds kicked up today. I still had a lot of chances down the stretch (birdie putts on four of his last six holes), but I’m really excited with a 69 in my last round here. It’s been an outstanding event for me." Fendt finished in the individual top 26 in each of his four Classics outings, tying for 26th as a freshman and improving to 19th in 2010 and last year’s tie for fourth place. It’s part of what has been a stellar career — Tuesday’s third-place finish was the 20th time he’s finished in the individual top 10 in his collegiate career. And Sliman said that Tuesday’s round was one of his best. "I’m darn proud of him," he said. "In these conditions, for him to shoot that shows a lot of guts. But it’s no surprise. I know he really wanted to get into that winner’s circle here in this last tournament, and if not for a couple of missed putts he might have been there. The last six holes, he had some good opportunities. "But he hit it beautifully all week, and he was really committed to his process and patience." Fendt finished four back of individual medalist Andrew Presley of LSU and one behind runner-up Sang Yi of LSU — part of a 1-2-3 finish for area collegians against a strong field. And it’s a jump-start for the rest of UL’s season at the Border Olympics in 10 days, the LSU National Tournament to end the month, the All-American Classic in early April, the Sun Belt Conference meet in late April and hopefully another NCAA appearance in May. "I’m hitting it good," he said. "I’m happy and excited about what’s to come in the next few weeks." "Making the Turn" appears each Wednesday. Clubs, courses and individuals with information about local golf events may email Dan McDonald, editorial director at Golfballs.com, at danmcdonald@cox.net, FAX to (337) 857-8763 or call (337) 857-8754 and leave a message with phone number. Listen to the "Making the Turn" radio show each Wednesday from 8-9 a.m. on ESPN Sports Radio 1420.
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