DIAZ, GOFF POST TOP TENS AS #6 PACERS FINISH FOURTH
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN CLAIMS WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. --Senior Jeff Goff fired a two-under-par 70 to lead the sixth-ranked USC Aiken Pacers to final round 295, good enough for a fourth-place finish at the Kiawah Island Invitational on Tuesday. NAIA power Oklahoma Christian claimed the wire-to-wire victory following a 293, finishing at even-par, three shots in front of runner-up Armstrong Atlantic State (+3). North Alabama (+6) was third, followed by USCA (+8).
This fourth annual, two-day event was contested at the 6,875 yard, par 72 Cougar Point Golf Course. Designed by Gary Player, the course was rated “4.5 stars” by Golf Digest. Five of the top 12 ranked teams in Division II were in the field.
Individually, Armstrong Atlantic State’s Chris Wolfe followed up Monday’s 65 with a final round best four-under-par 68 to finish at 11-under-par, four strokes in front of his round one co-leader, Fernando Gonzales of Oklahoma Christian.
Junior Roberto Diaz carded a 74, but moved up one spot into a tie for third at three-under-par for the 36 holes. It is the 10th top five finish for the two-time All-American in 22 career events, and his 19th inside the top 20.
Goff recorded a final round 70, tying for sixth with an even-par total of 144. It is the second best finish for the Jackson, S.C. native, bettered only by his medalist honors at the Richard Rendleman Invitational on March 6, 2006.
Sophomore Justin Thompson just missed his first career top 20, placing 21st after signing for a 76, finishing at five-over-par 149. Freshman Ashley Smith also came in in the top 25, tying for 24th with his second-straight 75. Senior Casey Thompson never found his groove with another 83, to place him tied for 72nd.
Following USC Aiken (+8) and the lead group, Belmont Abbey (+23) was a distance fifth, 15 shots back of the Pacers.
USC Aiken won the first two editions of the event before Armstrong Atlantic State captured the 2006 crown and now Oklahoma Christian makes it the third different champion in the last three years.
The Pacers will next compete in the Raines Development Group Intercollegiate on September 17-18. Francis Marion will be hosting the Division I event at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence.
KIAWAH ISLAND INVITATIONAL
COUGAR POINT G.C. KIAWAH ISLAND, SC
PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,875 DATES: SEPTEMBER 10-11
TEAM RESULTS
1 Oklahoma Christian............283 293 576 E
2 Armstrong Atlantic..............287 292 579 +3
3 North Alabama....................289 293 582 +6
4 USC Aiken.........................289 295 584 +8
5 Belmont Abbey....................291 308 599 +23
6 Coker..................................297 303 600 +24
7 Carson-Newman................290 312 602 +26
Lenoir-Rhyne........................295 307 602 +26
9 Washburn...........................291 313 604 +28
10 Newberry..........................298 311 609 +33
11 Clayton State....................300 310 610 +34
12 GCSU...............................299 313 612 +36
13 Lander...............................310 312 622 +46
14 Wingate.............................309 316 625 +49
15 Pfeiffer...............................317 325 642 +66
16 Brevard.............................311 336 647 +71
USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (+8) (4th)
Roberto Diaz......................67 74 141 -3 (T-3rd)
Jeff Goff.............................74 70 144 E (T-6th)
Justin Thompson...............73 76 149 +5 (T-21st)
Ashley Smith......................75 75 150 +6 (T-24th)
Casey Thompson..............83 83 166 +22 (T-72nd)
INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Chris Wolfe, AASU.............65 68 133 -11 (1st)