SPORTS
CHAMPIONS!!! Men’s Golf Captures Second Atlantic 10 Championship
This screenshot of the A-10 Champions was provided by the A-10 Conference.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Highlighted by five Top-15 finishes, including Alex Ross’ runner-up showing, Davidson fired its second consecutive sub-par round to capture the 2021 Atlantic 10 Men’s Golf Championship Sunday at Reunion Golf Club.
Alex Ross was the runner-up at the A-10 Championship.
The Wildcats (296-276-287 = 859 | -5), who trailed by 11 strokes and sat third after day one of competition, played the weekend in 13-under as a team to claim their second conference title in four years.
“I am so proud of this team,” said head coach Tim Straub. “They all worked so hard all year and kept a great attitude. It is so satisfying to see their work pay off with the A-10 title. On to the NCAA tournament!”
In addition to its seventh (SoCon – 1954, 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968 | A-10 – 2018, 2021) league crown in school history, Davidson will make its second-ever NCAA Regional appearance as a team.
Ross, a senior from Atlanta, Ga., entered the final round five strokes off the pace before making the turn in 3-under 33. The 2018 Rookie of the Year grabbed the outright lead late and again with a birdie on his 54th hole, but Dayton’s Henry May eagled the Par 5 last to take individual medalist.
“I am especially happy for our lone senior, captain Alex Ross. He struggled at times this spring, but saved his best golf for the biggest tournament and finishes with two team titles,” Straub commented.
After opening with a 3-over 75, Ross (75-69-67) played his best golf of the spring by playing his final 36 holes in 8-under par to conclude his final conference tournament at 211 (-5).
He was joined in the Top-10 by teammates Alex Heffner (218 | 8th) and Clayton Tribus (219 | T-9th), while Viraj Garewal and Brian Garrett finished just outside in a tie for 11th.
Dayton (+4), which led after the opening round, came home second ahead of VCU (+6) and Rhode Island (+10). Richmond finished well off the pace to round out the Top-5.
About the 2021 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships
The NCAA men’s golf regional selections will be announced Wednesday, May 5 at 2 p.m. on GOLF Channel.
Regional play for the 2021 Division I Men’s Golf Championships will be held May 17-19, with play taking place at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville, Ind., hosted by Ball State; Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee, Fla., hosted by Florida State; Championship Course at UNM in Albuquerque, N.M., hosted by New Mexico; Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., hosted by Oklahoma State; Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs, Tenn., hosted by Vanderbilt; and Tumble Creek Golf; Country Club in Cle Elum, Wash., hosted by Washington.
Three of the six regional sites will have 13 teams and 10 individuals competing, while three will have 14 teams and five individuals. The top five teams (30 teams total) and the low individual not on an advancing team from each regional site (six individuals total) will advance to the national championships at Grayhawk.