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University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Retain Title, Griffin Takes Home Second Trophy
October 26, 2014 | Men's Golf
GREENSBORO, N.C. - For the second time in two years, the North Carolina men's golf team takes home the title at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate with a 15-under-par 849 total, the sixth-lowest team score in the history of the tournament. Freshmen Ben Griffin also brought home the individual victory for the Tar Heels, his second win of the season, with a 10-under 206 total, the fifth lowest score in event history.
"Mission accomplished," said Head Coach Andrew Sapp. "We came into this tournament to defend it and we did. Obviously, it was great playing by Ben [Griffin] to win individually. What a fabulous come from behind victory to notch his second win of the season."
Griffin, a native of Chapel Hill, started his final round, tied for 2nd, with a smoking start, making seven birdies in his first ten holes, including a 3-under stretch on Nos. 6-8 before bogeying twice coming in to shoot a 5-under 67. Griffin led the field in par-4 scoring at 3.87, or 4-under.
"It was a great way to end off the fall season," Griffin said. "After a rough first round, I was able to battle back and make a charge in the last 36 holes. I knew Scott [Vincent] was a great player, and getting hot in the final round is what I needed to do. Being four strokes back, I did my best to play aggressive and stay focused throughout, trying to make as many birdies as possible. I couldn't be any happier winning two events in the fall, and I'm looking forward to working along with the team to make it to nationals in the spring."
Griffin's first victory was at the Tar Heel Intercollegiate in September where he won with another 10-under 206 total.
William Register, a freshman from Burlington, N.C., also started off the day well with two opening birdies before shooting three more birdies and four bogeys to card a 1-under 71 and end at 6-under 210 in a sole 4th. Griffin and Register tied for the most birdies in the field with 17. Register also had the lowest par-5 score with a 4.42, or 7-under.
"William [Register] also did great to finish 4th," Sapp said. "He has shown an incredible consistency this fall."
Brandon Dalinka and Henry Do also finished in the Top 15, both tied for 12th at 2-over 218. Dalinka, a senior from Newtown, Pa., shot an even-par 72 in the final round, including three birdies, one bogey, and one double-bogey. Defending co-champion Henry Do, a sophomore from Canton, Mich., climbed eight spots Sunday with a 1-under 71 round that saw four birdies and three bogeys. Senior Bailey Patrick finished at 7-over 223 in a tie for 27th with two closing birdies, another birdie and two double-bogeys in his 1-over 73 round.
"Everyone contributed to this win, and it was a wonderful team victory," Sapp said. "A perfect way to finish the fall season."
Davis Bateman, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., finished his individual play with a tough 8-over 80 Sunday to drop to a tie for 62nd. Zachary Martin, a sophomore from Pinehurst, N.C., finished in 75th with a 3-over 75 total but was disqualified for a scorecard issue.
North Carolina, defending champions at this tournament, finished with a strong 7-under 281 final round to beat the field by 12 strokes. Virginia Tech finished in sole 2nd at 3-under 861 with a 2-over 290 final round. Chattanooga ended in 3rd at a distant 8-over 872 total, followed by South Alabama in 4th at 12-over 876. Mercer rounded out the top 5 at 14-over 878. VCU finished in 6th at 18-over 882, followed by a tie for 7th between Memphis and William & Mary at 20-over 884.
Ben Griffin held off the field by one stroke at 10-under 206, followed by Scott Vincent of Virginia Tech, a former All-American, in 2nd at 9-under 207. Fellow Hokie Trevor Cone finished in 3rd at 7-under 209, followed by William Register at 6-under 210. Austin Eoff of Purdue, Daniel Jansen of South Alabama and Andrew Weathers of Chattanooga finished tied for 5th at 2-under 214, followed by Cory Gaylord of Memphis and Charlie Kern of William & Mary at 1-under 215 in a tie for 8th. Mercer Bears' Trey Rule and Emmanuel Kountakis finished tied for 10th at even-par 216, followed by Carter Jenkins of UNCG, Brandon Dalinka and Henry Do of North Carolina, and Wes Gosselin of Chattanooga at 2-over 218.
The 54-hole Bridgestone Golf Collegiate was played at the Grandover Resort East Course with a paar-72, 7,245-yard layout. This event concludes the fall season for the Tar Heels. Look for the team to return to action in early February at the Sea Best Invitational in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. at TPC Sawgrass. For more information about Tar Heel Men's Golf, please visit GoHeels.com.
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Players Mentioned
