No. 1 Bulldogs teeing it up in Tunica

PERKINSTON — The postseason takes a step up this week for No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast when the Bulldogs defend their NJCAA Gulf District championship.

The Bulldogs are one of seven teams in the field at Tunica National Golf Club for the three-day event, which starts Monday.

"It's much more similar to the national tournament with a lot of golf to be played," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "It's a lot more to do your mental approach to it because obviously physically you're not gonna play perfect golf for 54 straight holes. A good start is not as good, and a slow start is not as pad. It's all about focusing on course management and staying patient."

Gulf Coast has won 15 of the last 16 region/district tournaments dating back to 2008, including its current four-year win streak. 

The Bulldogs didn't participate in the preview event held at Tunica National in September while competing at the Folds of Honor Challenge in Michigan. But they won the MACCC title on that course last year by 33 shots over 36 holes.

They won last week's MACCC championship by three shots in Corinth, with Ludvig Behring (So., Sollentuna, Sweden/Osterakers Gymnasium) become the fourth different Bulldogs to win a tournament this year.

There are three teams in the Bushnell Golfweek NJCAA Division II Coaches Poll, including No. 6 Meridian and No. 8 East Central. Jones is receiving votes in that poll, and the Bobcats are part of six total teams in the Clippd National Collegiate Golf Rankings Top 20.

Gulf Coast got to Tunica on Saturday and focused on the short game before a full practice round on Sunday. Tunica National hosted the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference tournament, which wrapped up Saturday, so the course is in great shape.

"We're still working hard trying to clean up a few things," Thornton said. "I'm really proud of our effort so far and excited to see what this week holds especially over 54 holes."

Live scoring: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/238044/scoring/participants

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