Feb. 22, 2015

Results

(Photo courtesy of Houston Athletics)

HUMBLE, Texas — The ninth-ranked South Carolina men’s golf team claimed its third title of the season on Sunday, shooting a final-round 285 (-3) to hold off Sam Houston State to win the Bayou City Collegiate Championship at the Golf Club of Houston.

The Gamecocks wrapped up the weekend with a 54-hole total of 850 (-14) to finish two strokes ahead of the Bearkats (852), who made a charge by shooting a final-round 277 (-11). Carolina has now won three tournament titles for the second consecutive season. It marks the fifth time in school history a Gamecock squad has won three tournaments in a season.

Five Gamecocks secured top-20 finishes, led by junior Will Starke. After turning in a 66 (-6) in the second round, Starke fired a bogey-free 68 (-4) on Sunday to finish tied for fifth with a total of 212 (-4), his fourth top-five showing this season.

Senior Will Murphy recorded his second top-10 finish this season as he shot a final-round 70 (-2) to tie for 10th with a total of 214 (-2). Junior Matt NeSmith carded an even-par 72 to wrap up the weekend tied for 13th with a total of 215 (-1).

Junior Sean Kelly and freshman Keenan Huskey, who played as an individual, finished tied for 16th with a total of 216 (E). Kelly shot a final-round 75, while Huskey posted a 74. Rounding out the lineup, senior Caleb Sturgeon finished tied for 36th with a total of 221 (+5) after shooting a 75.

Baylor finished third with a total of 860 (-4), followed by Arkansas (861) and Houston (868).

Sam Houston State’s Zach Cabra claimed medalist honors with a total of 208 (-8) after carding a final-round 65.

Round Changer
After shooting a 6-under 66 in the second round, Starke led the way again on Sunday, firing a bogey-free 68 (-4).

Key Stat
The Gamecocks dominated the field in par-5 scoring on the weekend with an average of 4.72. Carolina played the par-5s at 17-under, including 6-under on Sunday.

Notable
• The win is Carolina’s third this season. The Gamecocks have now won three tournaments for a second straight year to become the fifth team in school history to accomplish the feat.
• The win is the Gamecocks’ first to open a spring schedule since winning the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate on Feb. 10, 2004 to open the spring.
• Starke’s top-five finish is his fourth this season, which is tied for the fifth most in a single season in school history. It is also the ninth of his career, which ties Eirik Johansen (2002-06) for the fourth most in school history.
• Starke has shot in the 60s in nine of his last 11 rounds.
• The Gamecocks have finished in the top five in 13 of their last 16 tournaments dating back to last season, including six tournament wins.
• Huskey’s total of 216 (E) is a career low. His tie for 16th finish is also the best of his career.
• The Gamecocks led the field in par-5 scoring (4.71, -17) and pars (192).

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“It was a great win for our program, and I’m very proud of their efforts this week. We had solid contributions from all five guys, but Will Starke’s last two rounds were incredible. Sam Houston State played a great final round, and it was a nail biter coming down the stretch. This win will hopefully give us some great momentum for the upcoming events on our schedule.”

Up Next
The Gamecocks will return to action on March 9-10 at the Palmetto Intercollegiate. The 54-hole event will be contested at the historic Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C.