ALEXANDRIA, La. — The Alabama State men’s golf team repeated as Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, holding off Jackson State at Oak Wing Golf Club on Wednesday.
The Hornets finished the three-day, 54-hole event with a score of 881, pulling away from second place Jackson State in the final round. JSU, who had closed to within eight strokes after a strong second round, finished 17 strokes off the lead at 898.
Branson Ferrier (Left) led Alabama State and was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Tournament Low Metalist, and Freshman Low Metalist shooting a tournament low 215 at the par 72-7043 yard course.
The Hornets posted a team score of 293 and shot 881 for the 54-hole event, 17 shots ahead of second place Jackson State.
“Last year’s men’s team performed the better than any previous team in school history,” said ASU Head Coach Gary Grandison. “This year’s men’s team has surpassed the previous team’s performance and has taken our program to that next level in collegiate golf. I am so happy that they finished the tournament strong in spite of the obstacles. They showed the mental toughness needed for us to move forward.”
Alabama State had five players finish in the top seven of the event. Francis Berthiaume finished second overall and was awarded First-Team All-Conference honors with a final round score of 69 and an overall score of 217. Meanwhile Jose Rodriguez also earned first-team honors, recording a 79 on the day and a three-day score of 226, ranking him fifth overall. Ian Mmbando and Robert Grant tied for seventh, shooting a tournament score of 230 and making the All-Conference Second-Team. Chris Wilson rounded out the scoring for ASU, shooting a final round score of 78 and an overall tournament score of 232, ranking eleventh on the leaderboard.
Kyle Bodenstein led Jackson State, firiing a 72 on the final day and 218 overall, ranking him third. Josh McCormick also earned a spot on the All-SWAC First Team, finishing fourth with score of 224. James Reed was ranked sixth with a score of 227, earning him a spot on the All-SWAC Second Team.
Will Smartt of Alabama A&M and Nqobami Noabambi of Arkansas-Pine Bluff rounded out All-SWAC team, tying for ninth with scores of 231.
Low Medalist/Most Valuable Player – Branson Ferrier (Alabama State)
Freshman Low Medalist – Branson Ferrier (Alabama State)
All-SWAC First Team
Branson Frazier (Alabama State) – 215 (69-76-70)
Francis Berthiaume (Alabama State) – 217 (71-77-69)
Kyle Bodenstein (Jackson State) – 218 (72-74-72)
Josh McCormick (Jackson State) – 224 (76-70-78)
Jose Rodriguez (Alabama State) – 226 (70-77-79)
All-SWAC Second Team
James Reed (Jackson State) – 227 (74-78-75)
Ian Mmbando (Alabama State) – 230 (68-86-76)
Robert Grant (Alabama State – Individual) – 230 (76-70-84)
Will Smartt (Alabama A&M) – 231 (73-78-80)
Nqobani Noabambi (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) – 231 (70-86-75)
Courtesy: SWAC.org
