Ferris State Senior Ben Cook Claims GLIAC Player Of Year Honors For Second Time In His Career

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Big Rapids, Mich. - For the second time in his collegiate career, senior Ben Cook of the Ferris State University men's golf squad has been chosen as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Player of the Year.

Cook was among three Bulldog men's golfers honored by the league in the all-conference balloting by GLIAC member head coaches. Along with being the league's top performer, he was also tabbed to the All-GLIAC First Team along with junior teammate Jack Weller (Swartz Creek) while junior Seth Terpstra (Grandville) garnered honorable mention accolades.

Cook led the Bulldogs to a GLIAC runner-up finish this season and a top 10 national ranking at one point during the year. The senior standout claimed GLIAC Player of the Year honors for the second time in his collegiate career after previously earning the distinction in 2015 when he was also chosen to the Division II PING All-America Team. 

A two-time all-region choice, Cook compiled eight top-10 tournament finishes this year, including winning the Kyle Ryman Invitational hosted by Tiffin last fall. He placed among the top three golfers in five events and tied for sixth overall at the league championships. The four-year letterwinner led FSU to five tournament championships this year and an expected 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Two years ago, Cook became the first FSU golfer to receive the GLIAC Men's Golfer of the Year honor since former standout Eric Lilleboe in 2009-10. Lilleboe, who also earned the distinction in 2007-08, and Cook are the only two Bulldogs to have received the honor since prior to the 2000-01 campaign.

Weller received All-GLIAC honors for the second time in his collegiate career after previously being named to the all-league second team a year ago. He was also a 2016 Division II PING All-Midwest Region honoree. This year, Weller placed among the top 15 golfers at the GLIAC Championships this past weekend as he came in tied for 13th overall. 

Finally, Terpstra posted a top 10 finish at the league championships by coming in tied for ninth overall last weekend after shooting 78 or better all three rounds of the tournament. He claimed All-GLIAC honors for the first time in his collegiate career this season.

Ferris State, which placed second at the GLIAC Championships in Ohio last weekend, awaits the official announcement of the NCAA Tournament participants, which will be made late Friday at NCAA.com. The regional championships will take place May 8-10 in Axtell, Neb.