TIFTON—Roaring back from a nine-stroke deficit heading into the final round, the Golden Stallions of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Southeastern District golf tournament on Tuesday at the Village Greens Golf Club in Gramling, S.C.
Compiling a 603 score over the 36 holes of the two-day tournament, the Golden Stallions topped favored Walters (Tenn.) State, which finished at 607. Other scores included Cleveland (Tenn.) State at 621, Roane (Tenn.) State at 635, and Davidson County (N.C.) Community College at 675.
“Give all the credit to these kids,” ABAC Coach Larry Byrnes said. “They really showed me something in that final round after being nine strokes back. I am so proud of every one of them.”
ABAC’s Brock Barber from St. Cloud, Fla., was the tournament medalist, and ABAC’s Brady Kotkiewicz from Buford finished in a tie for second place. Barber shot 71-72—143, and Kotkiewicz shot 70-75—145. Other team members included Ian Arnold from Blackshear, Hagen Marion from Zebulon, and Ben Sanders from Thomasville.
With the win, the Golden Stallions secured their spot in the 72-hole national tournament which will be held on May 17-21 at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind. ABAC finished 10th in the nation on that course in 2019. There was no national tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.
ABAC will face Georgia Military College and Andrew College in the NJCAA Region 17 tournament Monday at the Twin City Country Club in Tennille.
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