Golf takes 4th at Goosepond Spring Fling

SCOTTSBORO, AL---The Gulf Coast Bulldog Golf Team finished 4th after firing a 1-over 289 in the final round of the 19-team Ron Marshall Goose Pond Spring Fling in Scottsboro, AL. Meridian, the No 1 ranked NJCAA D-I program in the nation, won the 11th annual event with an 842 total, led by Dylan Brown and Jake Stirling's 10-under totals. Gulf Coast led all NJCAA D-II teams in the tournament named after Illinois Central CC's beloved coach.

"We shot ourselves in the foot with a 302 on the first day, but I'm proud of the kids for fighting back and moving from 12th to 4th," said Coach Tommy Snell. "We passed some really good teams." Jared Smith led Gulf Coast with rounds of 72-70-72 (-2) to finish 9th. "Jared hit the ball well enough to win the event, but his putter just wouldn't cooperate," added Snell. "He normally putts extremely well, but they just decided not to go in. That's golf." MGCCC's Jack Sargent tied the low round of the tournament with a 5-under 67 in Rd 2 to finish 11th with an even par 216 total. Drew Seals 227, Marcus Fox 230 and Brad Thornton 237 rounded out the scoring for Gulf Coast.

Darton (GA) finished 2nd, followed by Central Alabama, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Wallace State (AL), Faulkner State (AL), Rend Lake (IL), Walters State (TN), Clarendon (TX), John A Logan (IL), Mott (MI), Iowa Western, Illinois Central, Muskegon (MI), Georgia Military,Grand Rapids (MI), Vincennes (IN), Kaskaskia (IL) and Spoon River (IL).

Gulf Coast will continue conference play March 25-26 at MSU Golf Course in Starkville where East MS will host MACJC Event #4.