Results
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the sixth time in seven years – now in the dynasty discussion – Trevecca Nazarene emerged with the team title following the final round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Golf Championship on Saturday.
The Trojans (294-301-286--881) separated themselves from a cluster of schools that were within three shots of the lead going into the final 18 holes of play. A total of 36 holes were played on Friday in rough weather conditions with Malone grabbing the team lead.
Saturday’s weather wasn’t much better as temperatures dipped, but for the most part, rainfall didn’t descend over the University Club of Kentucky until the awards ceremony was conducted.
And in the most fitting way possible, two of the league’s best, Blain Turner and Larken Whittemore, from TNU went head-to-head for a sudden death playoff in the battle for medalist honors.
Turner and Whittemore played No. 18 on the Big Blue Course together after finishing regulation tied at 1-over par. While both found themselves in a tough lie in the bunker with standing water, Turner was able to get up-and-down and sink a putt for par.
In the most chivalrous way possible, the two teammates exchanged hugs and head coach David Head met his two standouts on the green and expressed how proud he was of them both.
For Turner, just a sophomore, he became the first back-to-back medalist in the men’s tournament history. He was consistent while finishing with a 73 (+1) and ending with rounds of even par 72.
The final numbers from the talented student-athletes were still impressive as Lexington was pummeled with precipitation.
If the course would have been more forgiving from inclement weather and cold, Turner and Whittemore would certainly would have been among a group to have capitalized. Only a few were able to post scores of even par or better on the challenging 6,896-yard layout after the conference meet was moved south from the previous four years at Four Bridges Country Club.
Findlay freshman Caleb Westfall was the hunted going into day two, but Turner and Whittemore were lurking not far behind. Westfall tied for third in his first conference meet as defending champ Findlay was the team runner-up and finished 11 shots back of TNU.
TNU’s depth was on display as the Trojans had the top three finishers, Turner, Larken Whittemore and Ryan Rozic. Rozic carded the best third-round score in the field with a 68 (-4). Conner Conkel helped keep his team within striking distance on day one with a first-round 74 (+2) and also tied for 15th in the field.
Turner, Whittemore, Rozic, UF’s Luke Kelly and Westfall were all named to the all-conference team by virtue of their top-five finish in the scoring. An additional five spots will be voted upon by the league’s coaches with yearly award winners.
Hillsdale and Malone each placed two individuals in the top 10 of the scoring and finished third and fourth, respectively, in the team scoring.
The NCAA DII Men’s Golf Championship field will be named Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. ET. Three different Great Midwest programs are regionally ranked including Findlay at No. 5, Hillsdale at No. 6 and Trevecca Nazarene at No. 8.