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OAKLAND TWP., Mich. (8/9/2012) -- The annual Titan Golf Outing was held Thursday at the Twin Oaks Golf Club in Oakland Twp. While rain shortened the day's golf activities, a fresh-cooked dinner along with a short program with prizes were the story of the day in the University of Detroit Mercy Athletic Department's annual event.
 
The 27-hole golf course was to feature 18 holes of golf for each individual but rain shortened the golf to nine holes followed by an early dinner.
  
Despite the rain, the golf went on. In nine holes of play, the group of James Meek, Tim Poley, Aaron Byrd, and Matt Spiess scored a six-under par and a second place finish behind the foursome of Brad Shepler, Derrick Kirchner, Scott Courtney, and Ryan Jankowski that scored a seven-under par to take this year's crown.

"We had a terrific turnout despite the less than ideal weather conditions today and everyone still had a great time. It's always nice to have our former student-athletes and coaches participating at events like this as well as our alums," said University of Detroit Mercy Associate V.P. & Athletic Director Keri Gaither. 

"Everyone who came out today for the outing plays an important role in making the Titan Athletic program a great success and we appreciate the tremendous support from our generous alumni and fans."

A number of golf contests took place during the day and included “Closest-to-the-Pin” and the “Longest Drive,” awards. A skins event was forced to be cancelled due to the weather. Each contest had one selected hole on each set of nine of the 27 holes that the Twin Oaks Golf Club had to offer.
 
The “Closest to the Pin” was on the 16th hole with John Fernandez earning that award. A second “Closest to the Pin” was set on the 22nd hole with Dan Schneble having the closest shot on that hole.
 
The fifth hole was the home to “The Longest Drive” competition with Justin Legel having the longest distance. The 13^th hole was a secondary “Longest Drive” competition with Jim Gietl rising above the rest as the winner.
 
Following golf, the clubhouse welcomed everyone for dinner where Tom Leyden, Sports Director at WXYZ (Channel 7 locally and ABC affiliate), served as the host for a short program that announced the winners of the contests throughout the day.
 
Leyden introduced Women's Basketball Head Coach Autumn Rademacher and men's basketball Head Coach Ray McCallum who each spoke and entertained those in attendance.
 
A silent auction and a raffle included prizes such as an autographed shoes from Willie Green, a Jonas Jerebko Detroit Pistons jersey, autographed baseballs, Michigan Whitecaps prize packs, golf prize packs and other Titan merchandise as raffle tickets were sold by the UDM dance team throughout the day.
  
The Detroit Titans Athletic Department would like to thank all of the golfers, hole sponsors, gift donors, and corporate partners for the success of the golf outing as the 2012-13 season approaches and the student-athletes and staff alike prepare for another year of Titan Athletics.

The Detroit Titans will again be featured as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise to be held on Saturday, August 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak close to 14 mile road.