Top-Ranked GCSU Wins Kiawah Invitational

Top-Ranked GCSU Wins Kiawah Invitational

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Georgia College & State University, ranked #1 in the nation, won the season-opening Kiawah Island Invitational hosted by USC Aiken. The Bobcats first rounds of 291 and 280 to finish seven strokes ahead of USC Beaufort. Host USC Aiken was sixth while Armstrong Atlantic State came in eighth, Flagler 13th and North Georgia, playing in the first golf tournament since the team was founded earlier this year, finished 15th. The tournament was played at the par-72, 6875-yard Cougar Point Golf Course on Kiawah Island.

GCSU senior Francisco Bide shot a three-under 69 in the final round to reach a playoff for the invitational's low medalist at 141. The University of Indianapolis' Seth Fair took the playoff in a sudden-death first hole. Billy Shida finished in third after back-to-back rounds of 71 while Joe Young was fifth with 74-69=141 and Niclas Johansson ninth with 74-71=145.

USC Aiken's Kevin Grady finished the first round in a tie for 21st after posting a 74, but he rebounded in the second round with a 71 to end the tournament with a two-round score of 145. Teammate Frederik Schulte shot an even 72 to tie himself with Grady and three others for ninth place with the 145.

Armstrong Atlantic State's Jacob Tilton was the low finisher for the Pirates after shooting 73-65 for 148 and a 23rd-place result. Matthew Motes was one stroke behind in a tie for 24th. Flagler's Joel Dahlenburg shot an even-par 72 in the opening round and followed with a 74 to finish two-over 146 and tied for 14th place.

North Georgia improved by 17 shots from the first round in program history to the second. Brian Mallory fired two rounds of 78 while Jake Martin went 79-77 as both players finished tied for 55th at 156.

The win by GCSU marked its first ever Kiawah Island Invitational crown. The Bobcats are the third Peach Belt Conference school to claim the Kiawah Island Invitational team championship along with USC Aiken and Armstrong Atlantic State.

Complete tournament results can be found here.