photo by Southern States Athletic Conference
Two rounds are down, but there is one to go in the 54-hole Southern States Athletic Conference men’s golf championship. The Dalton State men’s golf team is looking like all of the hard work is paying off with peak performances at just the right time.
The No. 11 ranked Roadrunners (281-278 = 559) continued their impressive run Tuesday at the par-70, 6,439 yards Montgomery Country Club course by expanding their lead over one of the top teams in the nation.
No. 1 ranked Coastal Georgia (282-280 = 562) also played better on Tuesday, but fell to three strokes behind the conference newcomers. The University of Mobile (284-286 = 570) remains in third.
Dalton State’s Levi Nix (68-66, 134) carded a four under on Tuesday and is now six under par for the tournament. Teammate Sean Elliott (69-67 = 136) is now all alone in second place for the tournament.
Coastal Georgia has two players tied for third after 36 holes. Allen Bradford (71-68 = 139) caught up with Mariners teammate Alastaire Tidcombe (69-70 = 139).
“We have done everything we have needed to do through two rounds. We have given ourselves a chance,” said Roadrunner Golf Coach Ben Rickett. “The entire team has been fantastic this week. We’ve handled the situations and really gotten the most out of rounds.”
Dalton State’s Anthony D’Angelo (72-71 = 143) is tied for ninth. Chase Jones (72-74 = 146) is knotted at 16th in a very close field. Maximillian Bruck (73-76 = 149) is also playing. He is tied for 20th in the 55 man tournament.
There are 11 teams competing. The rest of the field has Faulkner University (299-284 = 583), Belhaven University (302-289 = 591), Bethel University (TN) (309-298 = 607), William Carey University (304-314 = 618), Brewton-Parker (311-310 – 621), Loyola – New Orleans (315-312 = 627), Martin Methodist (317-316 = 633) and Blue Mountain College (324 – 311 = 635).
The tournament will conclude with 18 holes on Wednesday. “Coastal Georgia is a great team and we expect them to come ready to play,” said Rickett. “We have to take of what we can control and continue what we have put together this week. I am so proud of all of the guys, but it is important we main focused on the task ahead.”
The tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship to be held at the LPGA Course in Daytona Beach, Fl. The loser will have to rely on a panel that determines the remainder of the championship field.
All Dalton State athletic teams are in their first year of eligibility for post season play. The men’s basketball team captured the NAIA National Championship back in March.