CSU Drops In Final Round

Eatonton, GA - Columbus State carried an eight shot lead into Wednesday’s final round of the 18-team Bobcat Invitational, needing only to post an average round to come away with a win. That round never materialized as the Cougars shot a team total of 302, allowing host Georgia College & State University to slip past them and take the win. CSU was second, seven shots in back of the Bobcats.  The 18-team field featured 12 of the top 20 teams in Division II.
Every player struggled a bit on Tuesday, with the exception of Andrew Georgiou. Georgiou fired a 73 and finished tied for ninth in the individual standings. Kyle Albright and Michael Hicks, who shot 68 and 69 respectively in Monday’s second round, posted scores of 76 and 78 on Tuesday. The duo was tied for second after two rounds, but slipped to tied for 12th for Albright and tied for 20th for Hicks. J.P. van der Walt and Steven Paine each finished tied for 29th after shooting 75 and 79 respectively on Tuesday. Michael Lee - playing as an individual - shot a 73 on Tuesday and finished tied for 40th position.
GCSU’s Francisco Bide sizzled to a final-round 66 to overtake teammate Pedro de Costa Lima and win medalist honors. Lima struggled to a 78 and the leader after two rounds finished tied for 16th. The Bobcats shot a final-round 287 to charge to the win. West Florida’s Kyle Scott fired a 70 to finish second.
Nova Southeastern finished third, 11 shots back, while Valdosta State was fourth (17 back) and Barry fifth, 18 shots back. Florida Southern, West Florida, North Alabama, Rollins and Clayton State rounded out the top 10.
Armstrong Atlantic State, Lander, USC Aiken, Carson-Newman, Coker, UNC Pembroke, Queens, and Belmont Abbey rounded out the field.

CSU will take an extended break and won’t play again until the Peach Belt Conference Golf Championship on April 20-21 in Carthage, NC.  UNC Pembroke will serve as the host institution.