Golf team takes 5th straight Region 23 title

(from left to right): MGCCC golf coach Tommy Snell along with MGCCC golf team members Jared Smith, Drew Seals, Marcus Fox, Jack Sargent, Brad Thornton, and MGCCC dean of athletics Ladd Taylor at the 2012 Region 23 Tournament Apr. 23.

TUPELO---As far as championship rings go, it’s one for the thumb for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The Bulldog golf team shot 299-316---615 in chilly, windy conditions over two days at Big Oaks Golf Club in Tupelo to claim a fifth straight Region 23 golf title. The victory comes a week after Gulf Coast took home its third straight MACJC championship and completes an unprecedented run of winning all seven MACJC/Region 23 events in 2012.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for this team, and the players I’ve had during the past few years,” said Gulf Coast golf coach Tommy Snell. “The kids played well and competed hard all season long. I couldn’t be happier with their effort.”

Gulf Coast began the final round one stroke ahead of second place Co-Lin and extended the final margin to seven over the Wolves (300-322---622) and third place finisher Northwest (302-323---625).

“The wind combined with chilly temperatures made it tough on everyone,” Snell added. “But our guys stayed focused and got the job done even though everyone else was gunning for them. To go undefeated in State and Regional play is phenomenal.”

Bulldog sophomore Marcus Fox shot 75-76---151 and finished second individually.

Gulf Coast, ranked No. 9 in the latest NJCAA D-II poll and No. 1 according to golfstat.com, will celebrate the victory then prepare for another trip to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament May 22-25 atSwan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN.