Golf Wins Raines Intercollegiate in Record Setting Fashion

FLORENCE, S.C. – Georgia Southern placed three golfers among the ‘Top 10’ and cruised to a record-setting win at the 24th-annual Raines Development Group Intercollegiate. The 54-hole event was held at The Country Club of South Carolina.

The Eagles finished shooting a program- and tournament-record 22-under par 842 (279-279-284). Georgia Southern improved on its own record by two strokes, previously set during the 2001 Gator Invitational. The team’s 842 also shattered the previous Raines Development record of 849 set by USC Aiken in 2005.

Georgia Southern won by 13 strokes over Georgia College and State, and 22 over third-place William and Mary.

Spencer Fulford (Rocky Mount, N.C./Southwest Edgecomb) finished four strokes off the lead, following his opening round 69 with a 67 and 70 for a 10-under 206 to earn runner-up medalist honors. Jordan Johnstun (Evans/LaGrange) was right behind in third place shooting 209 (71-68-70).

Logan Blondell (Lakeland, FL/Lakeland) finished 1-under 215 to tie for ninth place. Blondell shot 68-70-77 to finish in a three-way tie.

Drew Lethem (Camdenton, MO/Olathe East/Odessa CC) shot 219 to finish tied for 29th while Sean Brannan (Duncansville, PA/Hollidaysburg Area) carded a 223, tying for 45th place.

“The thing that impresses me the most (about our win) is this was not an easy golf course. The winning scores at the Southern Conference championship the past couple of years on this same course were not as good. So overall this was a great trip. That will give us a lot of confidence going into next April (SoCon championship) when we step on the first tee,” said head coach Larry Mays. “The guys are feeling good about themselves, this was a total team effort... I can’t say enough about Spencer (Fulford), he really came on this tournament. Jordan is out to prove that last year was anomaly. He wants to be part of a good season for us.”

The Eagles return to action next weekend in Birmingham, Alabama for the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate.

“We don’t have much time to think about the win though. We need to get ready for next weekend (Shoal Creek). It will be a good tournament for us on a championship style golf course against some quality opponents,” stated Mays.

Raines Development Group Intercollegiate

Par: 72;  Yardage: 7,062

1.  Georgia Southern (279-279-284) 842  -22

2.  Georgia College and State (293-281-281) 855

3.  William and Mary (298-281-285) 864

4.  Francis Marion (296-283-288) 867

5.  East Carolina (290-286-292) 868

6.  Furman (295-282-292) 869

7.  USC-Aiken (294-291-289) 874

8.  Davidson (292-290-295) 877

9.  College of Charleston (295-288-298) 881

10.  Winthrop (290-298-296) 884

T-11.  Wofford (298-296-294) 888

T-11.  Western Carolina (298-291-299) 888

13.  Elon (301-301-292) 894

14.  Samford (303-294-298) 895

T-15.  Charleston Southern (300-298-299) 897

T-15.  Old Dominion (301-299-297) 897

17.   Presbyterian (301-303-294) 898

18.   Appalachian State (303-304-307) 914

Georgia Southern Individual Results

2. Spencer Fulford (69-67-70) 206

3. Jordan Johnstun (71-68-70) 209

T-9. Logan Blondell (68-70-77) 209

T-29. Drew Lethem (71-74-74) 219

Category: Golf

Published on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 00:07