North Alabama dominates VSU golf tourney

Published 7:01 am Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Valdosta State's Austin Graham hits the ball onto the green during competition at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club Tuesday.

North Alabama dominated the final day of the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club to claim the overall team victory.

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The Lions, who claimed a victory last week in New Orleans, shot a final round 274 (14 under par) to close the tournament at 23-under. Third ranked Barry finished second at nine-under par, while No. 1 ranked Lynn finished third.

“Phenomenal,” said North Alabama head coach Stuart Clark, who guided the Lions to conference championships in 2009 and 2010. “It is the hard work they put in during the offseason — the months like December, January and February — it is finally showing off now. The score we posted today was unexpected but great. I knew they were capable, but it is just getting all four of your guys playing really solid. Usually you will have one or two, but not all four.”

Valdosta State finished tied for 11th, posting a final round score of 295 to finish the tournament 27-over par.

“The second and third round, we said that it was slightly better,” said Valdosta State head coach Jared Purvis. “But still, we have to make more birdies and we just still made too many mental mistakes. It is a little better than last year, as far as cutting back on the mental mistakes, but we still have to do a better job.”

North Alabama’s Tyler Chandler posted his first career victory, never surrendering the lead on the final day, closing out the tournament at 13-under par, and as the tournament champion.

Chandler opened the final round with three birdies across the opening five holes, but posted a bogey on the par 4 sixth and another bogey on the 10th. Chandler rebounded with birdies on the 11th and 14th holes.

“It feels really good,” Chandler said. “It is hard to explain, but it feels really awesome. I have been knocking on the door for a long time, so it feels really great to open it and walk right in.”

Lynn’s Marcelo Rozo and North Alabama’s Jake Greer tied for second place at eight-under par.

Valdosta State’s John Fordham was the best placing Blazer, finishing tied for 21st at three-over par. Michael Rafalowcz finished tied for 44th at 10-over par.

“(John) played very solid in New Orleans for his first event and that carried on into this,” Purvis said. “It is nothing flashy. It is just a lot fairways and a lot of greens and staying away from the mental mistakes. I am very pleased with his play right now.”

Defending tournament champion Georgia College and State finished ninth at 20-over par. Delta State finished late, posting a score of 45-over par.