The SMCC Men’s Golf Team made a serious move during round three of the 2007 National Golf Championship. Led by Gabe Plaza’s 68, the team fired one of their best rounds of the year, a 279 (-9) to cut Darton’s lead down by two strokes with one round to play. “The guys played with heart today and we knew we needed to make a move before the final round,” said Coach Brown.
On the final day of the tournament the Cougars fired their third 289 (+1) of the tournament and the Darton Cavaliers won the 2007 National Championship, their third in a row. Darton and South Mountain were the only two teams to finish under par as the final round came down to the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the nation.
“We got beat by a great team that was emotionally tougher today.” With five freshmen the Cougars will look to defend their 2007 Region Championship and return to nationals that will be hosted in 2008 by Phoenix College in Goodyear, Arizona. “This was a great team this year with great desire, good chemistry and young men that liked to prepare and compete.” “We will be ready in 2008,” said Brown.
The 2nd place finish was the second for the SMCC golf team as they were Runner-Up in 2003. Freshman Gabe Plaza fired rounds of 68 74 68 71 (-7) to finish in 3rd and earn 1st Team All-American Honors. The tournament medalist was Bill Jones III from Darton College who beat Plaza by three. Freshman Devin Schreiner fired a final round 69 to rocket into a tie for 13th and earn 3rd team All-American Honors. Bentley Nakasawa and freshman Keenan Holt each fired 290 (+2) to each earn All-Tournament Team Honors.
| Finish |
Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Par |
| 1st |
Darton |
283 |
288 |
284 |
279 |
1134 |
(-18) |
| 2nd |
South Mountain |
289 |
289 |
279 |
289 |
1146 |
(-6) |
| 3rd |
Meridian |
302 |
286 |
290 |
295 |
1173 |
(+21) |
| 4th |
John A. Logane |
291 |
304 |
294 |
285 |
1174 |
(+22) |
| 5th |
Tyler |
295 |
292 |
297 |
294 |
1178 |
(+26) |
| 6th |
Springfield C. |
305 |
294 |
292 |
290 |
1181 |
(+29) |
|
7th |
U. of Ark. Ft. S |
295 |
303 |
294 |
292 |
1184 |
(+32) |
| 8th |
Mesa |
295 |
299 |
298 |
296 |
1188 |
(+36) |
| SMCC Cougars |
Total |
Finish |
|
| Gabe Plaza |
281 (-7) |
3rd |
1st Team All-American / All-Tournament Team |
| Devin Schreiner |
289 (+1) |
T13th |
3rd.Team All-American/ All-Tournament Team |
| Keenan Holt |
290 (+2) |
T16th |
All-Tournament Team |
| Bentley Nakasawa |
290 (+2) |
T16th |
All-Tournament Team |
| Nicholas Banfield |
304 (+16) |
T59th |
|