Aug. 29, 2006

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State senior golfer Mike Rutgers shot a 66 on Monday (Aug. 28) to qualify for the Nationwide Tour's Legend Financial Group Classic to be held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights, Ohio.

Avon Oaks Country Club in Avon, Ohio played host to the open qualifier in which 150 golfers competed for just 14 spots in the Nationwide event. Anthony Kim and Michael Sims both shot a course-record 65 to lead the field, while Rutgers and Chris Baryla tied for third just a shot back.

The performance caps off a solid summer that has seen the Kingsville, Ontario native claim the Northeast Ohio Amateur Invitational, in addition to finishing 19th at the Ohio Open and fifth at the Greater Cleveland Amateur Championship.

Rutgers is one of four starters returning from last year's team that claimed the Horizon League championship to earn the school's first-ever NCAA Regional berth.