Flyers First by Slimmest of Margins After Day One of NJCAA Golf
A pair of 77's by Nick Agapion and Trey Capps helped Sandhills Community College finish round one of the NJCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship in Chautauqua, NY on Tuesday with a one-stroke lead over Georgia Military College.
Also included in the Flyers' team score of 314 were a 79 by Nevin Bullough and an 81 by Ted Sluser. The team's fifth player, Grant Gilbert, posted an 83.
Right on the heels of Coach Gus Ulrich's squad were two other perennial contenders for the national title in Georgia Military at 315 and Minnesota State at 317. Georgia Military won the championship in 2017.
The best individual rounds of the day were 75's by Hunter Moen and Blake Bloedorn of Minnesota State, and Sean McGarvey of Rockland CC (NY).
Traveling from Braselton, GA to Chautauqua late on Tuesday after falling short in a bid to grab one of two qualifying spots for the U.S. Senior Open later this month in Notre Dame IN, Ulrich saw a bright spot in addition to learning his team was in first place.
"We didn't play very well, but we're in first place by one stroke," he said.
Beginning with Sluser, all of the Flyers will start play at the 10th tee between 9 and 9:30 on Wednesday morning. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the afternoon. The 72-hole event concludes on Friday.
One of the highlights of Tuesday's play was an eagle by Capps on the 496-yard par 5 13th hole. It was one of only three eagles by the field of 11 teams and 80 golfers including those that qualified for the tournament as individuals. Agapion played the back nine in even-par.
The Chautauqua Golf Club course was set up at Par 72, 6,462 yards. As a team, the Flyers were tied for the most pars (43) and most birdies (9). They were also first in par 4 scoring (4.50).
Team scores: 1. Sandhills CC 314, 2. Georgia Military 315, 3. Minnesota State 317, 4. Columbus State 324, 5. Niagara County CC 327, 6. CC of Morris 333, 7. Butler County CC 336, 8. Cayuga CC 342, 9. Northampton CC 346, 10. Nassau CC 350, 11. Madison College 357. Flyer individuals: Agapion T-10 41-36-77, Capps T-10 39-38-77, Bullough T-18 41-38-79, Sluser T-25 42-39-81, Gilbert T-40 40-43-83.