Gamecocks Come Back to Win Carpet Capital Collegiate Title

Sept. 7, 2014

Results

ROCKY FACE, Ga. — The 12th-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team captured its first team title of the season after firing a final-round 276 (-12) on Sunday at the Carpet Capital Collegiate at The Farm Golf Club.

The Gamecocks, who were three strokes off the lead heading into the round, wrapped up the weekend with a 54-hole total of 848 (-16) to win its first Carpet Capital Collegiate title in 24 appearances against one of the strongest fields in collegiate golf. The Gamecocks made their comeback after an incredible back nine as all five golfers in the lineup combined to shoot 10-under.

Senior Will Murphy led the charge up the leaderboard as he fired a 6-under 66, which matches his career low. A native of Columbia, S.C., Murphy finished the weekend tied for eighth with a total of 211 (-5).

Junior Will Starke was the highest Gamecock finisher, tying for fourth place with a total of 209 (-7) after shooting a 69 (-3) on Sunday. Junior Matt NeSmith posted a final-round 68 (-4) to finish in a tie for 18th with a total of 214 (-2).

Sophomore Ben Dietrich tied for 32nd with a total of 218 (+2) after shooting a 73 (+1) on Sunday, while senior Caleb Sturgeon and junior Sean Kelly finished tied for 41st with a total of 219 (+3). Sturgeon shot a 74 (+2) on Sunday, and Kelly carded a 76 (+4).

Georgia Tech finished runner-up with a total of 849 (-15), followed by Auburn (852), Kennesaw State (852) and defending national champion Alabama (853). Georgia Tech’s Ollie Schniederjans won medalist honors with a total of 204 (-12).

Round Changer
Senior Will Murphy led the charge up the leaderboard as he matched his career high with a 6-under 66, recording just one bogey and seven birdies on the day.

Key Stat
The Gamecocks made their move with another outstanding day on the back nine with just three bogeys among the five golfers in the lineup and nine birdies and two eagles. Carolina played the back nine at 10-under.

Notables
• The win marks South Carolina’s best finish at the event in 24 appearances. Carolina tied for first in 2007 but lost in a playoff.
• The Gamecocks’ round of 276 (-12) is their lowest ever at the Carpet Capital Collegiate.
• Carolina’s 54-hole total of 848 (-16) is its lowest ever at the event.
• Murphy matched his career low with a 6-under 66.
• NeSmith’s 68 and Starke’s 69 were both season lows.
• Sturgeon, Starke and Murphy were all bogey free on the back nine, while NeSmith was bogey free on the front nine.
• Starke recorded an eagle on the par-5 12th for the third straight round, which led the tournament.
• As a team South Carolina had the most eagles at the event with five.
• Starke’s total of 209 (-7) is a career low.
• The Gamecocks led the tournament in par-4 scoring at 5-under with an average of 3.97.

Tweet of the Round

Congrats to my teammates and coaches for the win at The Farm. I know you’ve always wanted that one @billymackgolf! #GoCocks @GamecockMGolf

— Blaine Woodruff (@TheRealBDubya) September 7, 2014

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“I couldn’t be more proud of this team. We came out today focused and ready to play. Matt (NeSmith) and Will (Murphy) got hot early, and then it was really exciting on the back nine. We posted a great number and were fortunate that no one was able to catch us. This is a tremendous win for our program, and hopefully it will help our guys believe in just how good they are and what they are capable of.”

Up Next
The Gamecocks will be back in action Sept. 19-21 at the DICK’s Collegiate Challenge Cup in Kingston Springs, Tenn.

South Carolina ResultsT4. Will Starke (3)      73-67-69=209 (-7)T8. Will Murphy (5)      75-70-66=211 (-5)T18. Matthew NeSmith (4)    74-72-68=214 (-2)T32. Ben Dietrich (2)       71-74-73=218 (+2)T41. Caleb Sturgeon (1)   73-72-74=219 (+3)*T41. Sean Kelly      73-70-76=219 (+3)*Played as an individual
Final Team Standings1. South Carolina        291-281-276=848 (-16)2. Georgia Tech         293-276-280=849 (-15)T3. Auburn          294-275-283=852 (-12)T3. Kennesaw State      281-288-283=852 (-12)5. Alabama          286-283-284=853 (-11)T6. Clemson             287-284-284=855 (-9)T6. LSU             282-287-286=855 (-9)8. Wake Forest          286-287-286=859 (-5)9. North Carolina       286-291-284=861 (-3)10. Chattanooga         291-282-293=866 (+2)11. Tennessee           296-280-296=872 (+8)12. North Florida       300-292-294=886 (+22)13. Florida             312-288-297=897 (+33)14. Middle Tennessee St.    300-299-308=907 (+43)