ETSU wins tournament for third time in last four years

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (April 16, 2013) – For the third time in the last four years, the ETSU men’s golf team captured the Coca-Cola Invitational title, as the Bucs rallied past Wofford to win the tournament by two strokes on Tuesday afternoon at the Country Club of Spartanburg.

ETSU entered the day eight shots back of host Wofford and played consistent golf all afternoon by shooting an even-par 288, while the Terriers finished the day at 10-over 298. Overall, the Blue and Gold edged out Wofford by two strokes, as ETSU posted its best three-round score of the year at 11-under-par 853 to win its first tournament since April 2011.  

“The guys did a really good job today and I’m pleased to see them get their first win of the year,” said head coach Fred Warren. “With us having a young team – three freshmen and two sophomores – I really didn’t know how they would they play today, but the guys stayed focused and were solid the entire round. This was a team win, and to have four guys finish in top-13, shows how well-balanced we were in this tournament. It took a total team effort and we were able to come away with the championship.”

The Bucs – who had recorded three top-five finishes prior to winning the last tournament before next week’s Atlantic Sun Championship – saw four golfers place in the top-13.

Sophomore Rhys Pugh (Pontypridd, Wales) led the Bucs with his best collegiate finish and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Pugh tied for third with Winthrop’s Kamito Hirai at 5-under-par 211 (72-68-71), while fellow sophomore Scott Gibson (Southerness, Scotland) jumped ten spots to finish tied for fifth at 3-under 213 (73-70-70).

Meanwhile, freshmen Adrian Meronk (Wroclaw, Poland) and Chris Hickman (Centreville, Md.) placed in the top-13. Meronk tied for ninth at 2-under (69-71-74 – 214 ) and Hickman followed right behind at 1-under (71-71-73 – 215) – marking the lowest three-round scores for both Buccaneer golfers this season.

Appalachian State’s Caleb Keck beat out Charles Moore by one shot to win the individual crown. Keck entered the day one shot back from Moore and carded an even-par 72 on Tuesday to win the title at 7-under 209.

The A-Sun Championship is up next for the Blue and Gold, which gets underway this Sunday at The Legends Course in Braselton, Ga.

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For more information on Buccaneer men’s golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men’s golf page.