GCSU 2nd, USCA 7th at DI-Laden Raines Intercollegiate

FLORENCE, S.C. – Battling a largely Division I field and intermittent rain, the No. 6 Georgia College & State University golf team dealt a pair of 281s in the final two rounds at the Raines Development Group Intercollegiate today (Sept. 16), jumping to finish second. The Bobcats finished at a nine-under 855 on the par-72, 7,062-yard Country Club of South Carolina Course. USC Aiken was seventh.  The two were the only Division II teams in the field.

“We finished strong and came in second playing against 16 Division I teams,” said Georgia College head coach Jimmy Wilson. “We threw out a 71 in the final round, and any time you can do that you know you’re going to be in good shape.”

Junior Pedro C. Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil) led the Bobcats in just his second collegiate meet, following up a stumble in the first round (75) with a 68 and 69 in the final two for four-under 212, tying for fifth. Finishing one stroke behind was junior Niclas Johasson (Skanor, Sweden), carding a 74-68-71=213.

Sophomore Joe Young (Cochran, Ga.) shot even par for 12th (74-71-71=216), tying with teammate Billy Shida (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) (71-74-71=216). Junior Francisco Bide (Buenos Aires, Argentina/El Diamante (Calif.)) finished 23rd at a two-over 74-74-70=218.

Georgia Southern University ran away with the tourney, finishing at 22-under, a tournament record. The College of William & Mary’s Brent Paladino also set a record with his 14-under 202 for the individual title.

USC Aiken was led by Justin Thompson who fired 70-72-74=216 to finish in a tie for 12th. Roberto Diaz and J.P. Solis each shot three-over-par 219s to tie for 29th while Matt Giftos was four strokes behind in a tie for 45th and Kevin Grady in 65th with a 227. The Pacers, coming off a win last week in Kiawah Island, bested 11 Division I programs, including Davidson who finished three shots behind the Pacers.

GCSU returns to play in the State Farm/Laker Collegiate hosted by Clayton State while USC Aiken travels to Western Washington to play in the DII National Championship preview. Both tournaments begin Monday, Sept. 29.

For complete results, click here.