Pirates Finish Fifth At Golfweek Program Challenge
September 13, 2011 | Men's Golf
Sept. 13, 2011
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The East Carolina University men's golf team carded a three-under 285 in the third and final round to finish fifth as a team at the Golfweek Program Challenge at the 6,640-yard, par 72 True Blue Golf Resort.
The Pirates finished the three-day event at 18-under 846, 13 strokes behind team champion Campbell, which fired an impressive 31-under 833. Jacksonville State and South Florida tied for second at 24-under 840 followed by UNC Wilmington in fourth at 21-under 843.
David Watkins was the top Pirate finisher in the event, concluding his efforts in third-place at 10-under 206. Watkins began the final round at nine-under and carded a one-under 71 to complete the tournament. It was the 11th top-10 finish of his career.
The Pirates had an additional pair golfers finish in the top 17 individually with Adam Stephenson recording the second-best finish of his career tied for 12th with a five-under 211. His only other top-20 finish came last season at the River Landing Intercollegiate where he placed seventh.
Harold Varner shot one-under 71 in the final round to finish at three-under 213, tied for with six others for 17th. Varner fired an opening round 70 before carding a 72 in round two.
Ryan Eibner shot par 72 in the third round and finished tied for 30th at one-over 217. Jake Colley carded a five-over 221 to tie for 45th overall.
Jacksonville State's Tomasz Anderson claimed top honors individually with a three-round score of 15-under 201. Andrew Gai of Campbell finished as the runner-up with a 13-under 203.
ECU will next travel to Manakin-Sabot, Va. to compete in the VCU Shootout at the Hermitage Country Club on Monday, Sept. 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27.
