Motter, Bulldogs defend state titles

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael H. Miller/Northeast Mississippi Community College

Grant Motter ran away from the field, and the rest of his No. 2 Mississippi Gulf Coast teammates followed Sunday at the MACJC Tournament in Corinth.

Motter defended his medalist honors by finishing 8-under, and Gulf Coast repeated as state champions by shooting 2-under in the second round to post an even-par 576.

"It kind of shows we have the better team," Motter said. "They're going to have to play really well to beat us at region. That's a big win today. It's going to go a long way for us."

Motter, who shot 4-under both days, won by seven strokes, and the Bulldogs won by 12. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by freshman Jonathon Newman, who finished tied for fourth at 1-over.

"This is what we've been looking forward to all year, trying to win state," Newman said. "We came out and made a statement going into region next week."

The Gulf Coast depth was on display Sunday. Despite making the All-Tournament Team, Newman's 74 was thrown out in the team total with all four of his teammates shooting 1-over or better.

"Even though his score didn't count today, his 71 sure counted yesterday," Gulf Coast coach Tommy Snell said. "As a freshman, he did well."

George Kawell and Phillip Hickam bounced back from first-round 77s. Kawell shot even-par 72, and Hickam was a shot behind.

Freshman Colin Troxler also shot 1-over, but had a bad-luck quadruple bogey on his next-to-last hole when his ball landed against a bulkhead.

"We threw out a 74 today," Snell said. "That's pretty darned good."

Gulf Coast has won seven state titles since 2008.

The Bulldogs will head to Senatobia for the Region 23 Tournament to be played April 25-26. The Bulldogs will join and Copiah-Lincoln (12-over), Meridian (+16), East Central (+38) and host Northwest (+42) at Back Acres Country Club for the two-day event.

Gulf Coast has won eight straight region titles. A ninth will win a spot at the NJCAA Division II Championship. That 72-hole event, which will also include the next five lowest scoring individuals, starts May 24 in Plymouth, Ind.

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