MGCCC Drops to 9th at NJCAA Tourney

Corey Ward is at even par after three rounds of the NJCAA Division II Tournament.

Richie Williams hits his tee shot on the par 3 third hole Thursday.

The third round is usually considered moving day in golf tournaments. Darton (GA) College took full advantage of moving day by closing the gap on South Mountain (AZ) Community College from five strokes to one stroke at the NJCAA Division II National Golf Tournament at Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro, AL. The Cavaliers shot a tournament low of 288 to give them a three day total of 869. South Mountain shot 293 to give them a one stroke lead with 868. John A. Logan (IL) College is still in third place after shooting a 295 today. Grand Rapids (MI) Community College (884) and defending champion Tyler (TX) Junior College (889) round out the top five. South Mountain, Darton and John A. Logan will be in the final five groups in tomorrow’s fourth round. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College struggled in the third round and shot 309, dropping them to ninth.

"We got our tough round out of the way today," said Gulf Coast golf coach Tommy Snell. "Our goal of finishing in the top five or top ten is still within reach if we finish strong on Friday."

On the individual side, Brian Affleck from Potomac (WV) State College fired a 68 today to give him the lead with a 210, passing David Griffin of Rend Lake (IL) College who is at 212 after carding a 76 today. Jin Chung from Darton College shot a 74 to give him third at 214. Five players are tied for fourth at 215. Gulf Coast golfer Corey Ward shot 77 and is in ninth place at even par of the tournament.

The final round of the tees off tomorrow at 7:00 AM. Results will be posted at they come in at www.goosepond.org.