CSU Golf Struggles In Tournament

Hampton, GA -  Third-ranked Columbus State stumbled to a final round 297 Tuesday to finish tied for 10th at the 2009 Laker Invitational hosted by Clayton State at the Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 7202 yards).  Newberry blitzed the 16-team field with a closing round 10-under par 278 to win by four shots over top-ranked Georgia College & State.  Barry’s Chris Carlin won the individual championship with an outstanding two-day total of 133 (67-66) to win by two shots over Newberry’s Daniel Stanley (66-69).  The tournament was reduced to 36 holes after yesterday’s afternoon round was cancelled because of persistent rain in the Atlanta metro area.
Newberry, from the South Atlantic Conference, had two other players (Ben Lown -68, Chandler Gruenmeier -69) break par on Tuesday for the come-from-behind victory over the Bobcats.  GCSU (281-285) broke par again on Tuesday as Niclas Johansson led the way with a 69 and three other players shot 72s.  Barry finished one shot back of GCSU at 567 (281-286).  Florida Southern made the big move on Tuesday with a 6-under 282 to finish fourth at 574.  Lynn rounded out the top five at 575 (289-286).
CSU came into today’s action tied for fourth, but shot the third worst score on Tuesday with a 9-over 297.  Steven Paine broke par for the second straight round (70-71) to finish tied for 10th at 141 (-3).  Newcomer Stephen Swanepoel (74-73) and Jeremy Britt (71-76) both finished tied for 37th at 147.  Britt had a solid round going, but stumbled down the stretch for his 76.  Junior Michael Hicks was never a factor Tuesday as he shot 79 to finish tied for 67th at 152 (73-79).  Stephen Woodill, a freshman from Columbus High, posted a final round 77 to finish tied for 75th at 156 (79-77). 
Carson-Newman finished sixth at 576 (291-285), followed by Queens University of Charlotte at 577 (291-286).  Lander (288-295) and UNC Pembroke (291-292) tied for eighth.  CSU, Clayton State (292-293), and Georgia Southwestern (293-292) tied for 10th at 585.  Coker (292-296), USC Aiken (294-295), Montevallo (293-300), and West Georgia (300-298) rounded out the 16-team field.
CSU takes a week off before hosting the Aflac/Cougar Invitational on October 5th & 6th at Green Island Country Club.  The 21-team event is slated for 18 holes on each day at the par 71 Green Island layout.