The first round leaders from Dalton State finished second in the 20 team men’s portion of the Chick-Fil-A Invitational, hosted by Berry College.
Defending NAIA national champions College of Coastal Georgia (289- 283 – 572) came from three back to overtake the Roadrunners by one stroke. The Mariners were led by medalist Allen Bradford (73, 66 – 139).
“This one stings,” said DS coach Ben Rickett. “Coming down to the final putt of the event but I am far from disappointed.
The guys have done great all fall and the results are starting to show. I am so proud of what these guys have accomplished this semester. Things are looking bright for Roadrunners golf.”
Schools from the north Georgia area included Reinhardt (297, 318 – 615), Georgia Northwestern (311, 311 – 622) and Covenant College (323, 341 – 664).
The 36-hole tournament was held at 6,924 yards, par 72 Coosa Country Club.
Dalton’s low scorer for the tournament was Chase Jones (73, 69 – 142). The only DS player on the all-tournament team finished tied for third individually with Martin Jacobson of the University of the Cumberlands and Dylan Gassinger of Marian (IN) University.
Maximillian Bruck (71, 72 – 143), Levi Nix (76, 70 – 146), Sean Elliott (71, 76 – 147) and Dalton Johnson (71, 76 – 147) all finished in the top 20 of the 108 man tournament.
Jesse Redman (71, 76 – 147) of Spring Hill College, brother of Dalton State assistant basketball coach John Redman, finished tied for 16th.
Coastal Georgia 289 283 - 572
Dalton State 286 287 - 573
Cumberland, U of 295 288 - 583
Spring Hill College 292 299 - 591
The tournament concluded the Dalton State men’s golf fall schedule.
The University of South Carolina at Beaufort’s women’s golf team (312, 300 - 612) came from nine holes back to capture the nine team Chick-Fil-A Invitational at the 72 par, 5,866 yards Stonebridge Golf Club.
First round leaders Dalton State (303, 310 – 613) finished the second day tied with the University of the Cumberlands (312, 301 - 613), but the Lady Roadrunners received the second place trophy on the tie breaker. Rachel Rebne, the number five player for DS, defeated the number five player from Cumberlands by two strokes.
“I am really proud of our girls,” said Coach Jim McGrew. “It was a great two days against great competition. We found out what it was like to be in the pressure situation and I was proud of how we handled it. I really love the depth we are developing where any of the five can distribute on any day.”
Dalton State’s Erika Wardzinski (71, 77 – 148) was the tournament’s medalist. She is the first medalist for the Lady Roadrunner’s brand new program. Julia McQuilken (77, 74 – 151) was also on the All-Tournament team. Caroline Griffin (72, 82 – 156), Taylor Marie Griner (81, 80 – 161) and Rachel Rebne (83, 79 – 162) rounded out the DS scoring.
USC Beaufort 312, 300 – 612
Dalton State 303, 303 – 313
Cumberlands, U of 312, 301 – 313
Trevecca Nazarine 319, 318 – 637
Huntingdon College 318, 323 – 641
Coastal Georgia 326, 324 – 650
Berry College 326, 343 – 669
Spring Hill College 350, 337 – 687
Oglethorpe U 353, 347 - 700
The Dalton State women have one more tournament on their fall schedule. The Lady Roadrunners will play this coming Monday and Tuesday (October 27-27) in the NAIA Women’s Golf National Tournament Fall Preview at Savannah Quarters Country Club near Pooler, GA. Savannah Quarters will be the site of next spring’s women’s national championship.