Bobcat Invitational: North Georgia claims third win of the season
North Georgia Men's Golf Team (UNG Athletics Photo)
The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's golf team, ranked No. 2 nationally, put together a strong performance to win the GCSU Bobcat Invitational at The Golf Club at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee. UNG posted a 54-hole total of 1-over 841 with rounds of 283-282-276, securing their third win of the season and first since the fall.
West Florida, ranked No. 3, finished runner-up at 3-over 843 after rounds of 279-287-277, coming up just two strokes short of the title. No. 8-ranked Lee University placed third at 9-over after posting rounds of 290-279-280.
Georgia Southwestern, the two-time defending champions, finished 9th after rounds of 292-287-290, finishing 29-over.
Individually, West Florida sophomore TJ Thompson claimed the title with rounds of 68-70-68 to finish at 4-under 206. Thompson, the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week in March 2024, started the final round with four birdies in the first five holes.
He added another birdie on No. 15 to reach 4-under for the round but closed with bogeys on 17 and 18. Despite the late stumble, he held on to secure his victory.
USC Aiken senior Erik Olin and Lander graduate student Victor Larsson from Sweden finished T-2 at 2-under. Olin carded rounds of 70-70-68, while Larsson went 72-69-67 to match the total.
North Georgia placed three players inside the top 15, led by junior Hunter Smith, who opened with a 66 but fell back with a second-round 75 before closing with a 70 to finish T-8 at 1-over. Senior Ethan Day matched that total with rounds of 70-72-69. Sophomore Colby Bennett followed with rounds of 73-68-71 to finish T-12 at 2-over.
Statistically, North Georgia led the field in Par-4 scoring with an average of 3.99 and made the most birdies in the tournament with 51, four more than West Florida and Lee, which each recorded 47.
ABOUT THE
Bobcat Invitational
54 hole men's college tournament hosted by Georgia
College and State University. Team (best four scores
out of five players each round) and individual
competitions.
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