MGCCC storms back to win MACJC event
Grant Motter fired a 68 Sunday to lead a Mississippi Gulf Coast charge up the leaderboard, erasing an eight-shot deficit to win the first MACJC event of the year.
The Bulldogs caught and passed first-round leader Meridian, finishing 3-over to win by three shots. The team shot 4-under for the day at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Raymond. Hinds hosted the event.
"The most positive thing of the tournament is nobody quit," Gulf Coast coach Tommy Snell said. "They've got a lot of fight in them. They were confident if they played well, they could catch Meridian. It was a good tournament and a good day today."
Motter and Meridian's Lance Strickland finished tied at 3-under, and they exchanged pars the first four playoff holes. Motter stuck his approach on the next hole within 10 feet and sunk his putt to claim medalist honors.
He and Phillip Hickam, who shot 70 to finish in fourth place at 1-under, made the All-Tournament team. Northeast's Alex Toll (2-under) and Meridian teammates Strickland and Grant Renegar (1-over) rounded out that squad.
Gulf Coast's Jonathon Newman, playing as an individual, finished 3-over in eighth. George Kawell and Colin Troxler tied for 10th at 5-over.
East Central finished third in the nine-team field at 24-over par.
The Bulldogs, who are ranked third in the Bushnell Golfweek Preseason NJCAA Division II Coaches Poll, weren't perfect over the weekend. They were much better on the front nine than the back. They played the first nine holes at 17-under par, but gave back 20 shots coming back to the clubhouse.
"We struggled on the back nine both days," Snell said, "but it shows you when we play our game, we're capable of really playing well. "
Gulf Coast returns to action next weekend in the second MACJC event, which will be hosted by Northeast at the Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club. The Bulldogs host their MACJC event at Grand Bear Golf Course in Saucier on Oct. 26-27.
Team leaderboard
1. Gulf Coast 295-284—579 (+3)
2. Meridian 287-295—582 (+6)
3. East Central 303-297—600 (+24)
4. Copiah-Lincoln 304-306—610 (+34)
5. East Mississippi 302-309—611 (+35)
6. Hinds 311-309—620 (+44)
7. Itawamba 318-319—637 (+61)
8. Northwest 324-324—648 (+72)
9. Northeast 329-332—661 (+85)
Gulf Coast scores
1. Grant Motter 73-68—141 (-3)
4. Phillip Hickam 73-70—143 (-1)
8. Jonathon Newman* 75-72—147 (+3)
T10. George Kawell 78-71—149 (+5)
T10. Colin Troxler 74-75—149 (+5)
25. Jesse Sunderman* 74-81—155 (+11)
T28. Wyatt Adkison 75-82—157 (+13)
T28. Tyler Schingle* 80-77—157 (+13)
