After losing two of its top golfers from last year–former NCAA champion Matt Hill to the PGA Tour and Adam Hogue to graduation–it appears as though the N.C. State men’s golf team will be okay.
The Wolfpack secured a victory in its first tournament of the season by shooting an even-par 288 during Tuesday’s final round at the College of Charleston Invitational, edging second place Notre Dame by six strokes. All six Pack golfers finished inside the top-20 out of a field of 72 competitors at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C.
“We have a good, competitive team,” assistant coach Chip Watson said. “It’s pretty amazing that all of our players finished between 10th and 20th individually, so we were very consistent. It was a big test playing The Ocean Course, one of the hardest courses in the country, and they did a great job so we’re happy.”
State was led by senior Brandon Detweiler, who finished tied for 10th after shooting a six-over par during the 54-hole tournament. Detweiler agreed with Watson’s assessment of the course’s difficulty.
“The Ocean Course is probably one of the hardest courses in the country, especially when the wind blows,” Detweiler said. “It’s a real challenge. You have to keep your ball in the fairway because if you don’t, you’re going to be in some waste areas or fescue grass and may not find your ball.”
The Wolfpack trailed runner-up Notre Dame by two strokes heading into the final round, but received strong performances by Mark McMillen, Graham Baillargeon and Mitchell Sutton, who all finished tied for 12th at seven-over par.
With the tournament title hanging in the balance as the Pack approached the homestretch, Detweiler said the team had to navigate through the most treacherous hole on the course before claiming the 47th title in program history.
“No. 17 was by far the toughest hole on the course,” Detweiler said. “It’s a par-3 with huge bunkers guarding the left side of the green and a big lake on the right side of the green. With the winds howling, you just have to hit a great golf shot. All of us had to play [No. 17] as we finished our rounds and were fortunate enough to get through it unscathed.”
Freshman Albin Choi had an impressive start to his collegiate career. The native of Toronto, Canada finished tied for 18th by shooting eight-over par, including four birdies during Tuesday’s final round. Choi said his first tournament as a college golfer will be a memorable one.
“I didn’t play my best but I’m really happy about how the team played and that we won,” Choi said. “I’m new to college golf, so being able to win while playing for the first time is definitely something special. Like my coach said, ‘I will play a lot of great rounds, but this is the one I will always remember’.”
The Wolfpack will be looking for its second tournament victory of the young season as it hits the links Sept. 19-21 for GolfWeek’s Conference Challenge.
“We definitely want to keep the momentum going,” Choi said. “This is a great start to the year. The guys on the team can all play really well, so if we all click at the same time, we can win some big tournaments this year.”
