Top-ranked Dalton State men earn win in first event of spring

Published 3:30 pm Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The No. 1-ranked Dalton State College men’s golf team backed up their top billing on Monday and Tuesday with a victory in the Kinderlou Forest Spring Invite at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta.

Dalton State shot 849 (-15) to win by 13 strokes over No. 16 Coastal Georgia (862, -2). No. 10 Cumberland (Tenn.) (868, +4) was third, with No. 5 Truett-McConnell (872, +8) in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Reinhardt at 880 (+16).

ROUND 1

Steve Kibare got off to a smoking start with four birdies on the front nine en route to an opening 67 (-5). Jarod Edwards also caught fire with six birdies andtwo bogeys post a 4-under 68. Jack Whaley continued his great play from the fall to make it three Birds in red figures with a 1-under 71.

Brock Hoover nabbed the fourth score with a 2-over 74, as Trevor Bassett shot 6-over 78 as the 5th in the lineup. Brandon Boncore and Tyler Latimer shot 77 (+5) and 78 (+6) respectively as individuals. As a team, the Birds shot 8-under 280.

ROUND 2

The team continued to play great golf, posting 287 (-1) with Edwards and Hoover leading the squad with matching 1-under 71’s. Edwards had a pretty mistake-free round with two birdies and a bogey. Hoover, on the other hand, had a nine on the par-5 14th and needed six birdies to help dig out of the hole.

Whaley carded even-par 72, with Bassett getting the fourth score at 1-over 73. Kibare was the fifth on the round with a 2-over 74. Boncore and Latimer each improved over the second trip around the course with 1-over 73 scores for each.

ROUND 3

Edwards led three Roadrunners in red figures with a 3-under 68 to take the individual medalist honors. Whaley fired a 2-under 70 to finish tied for fourth with teammate Kibare, who carded even-par 72. Both players finished on the All-Tournament team.

Bassett shot 1-under 71 to tie for 20th, just behind Hoover who had a 1-over 73 and tied for 13th. Latimer had a final round 74 (+2) to tie for 29th, as Boncore polished off a solid tournament with a 76 (+4) and took solo 31st.

QUOTES FROM COACH

Comments from head coach Ben Rickett:

“It was a great start to the spring. Practice has been fun to watch as I have got to watch a group get better this winter, and it’s nice seeing it all happen right in front of us.”

“The depth of this group is great for this team and we were able to see that this week with one through seven!”

“W still have some areas we need to get better in but a great way to start this early in the spring.”

UP NEXT

Dalton State hits the road to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for their next tournament, the Carey Collegiate Classic at Canebrake Country Club on March 11.