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Men's golf NCAA championship bound as Armstrong claims individual title

Lipscomb Athletics | 

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The Lipscomb University  men’s golf team behind medalist honors from Dawson Armstrong posted a fifth-place finish in the College Grove Regional at the Grove Club on Wednesday, May 17, to advance to the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship beginning next week at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

“This is just so awesome,” said Lipscomb director of golf Will Brewer.  “We set a lot of goals and this was the main one that we didn’t talk about out loud because it was the inevitable goal back in August to get to the NCAA final championship. I felt like we had an opportunity to win today and we did.  We faltered on the last couple of holes.

“I’m so proud of these guys.  It’s unbelievable their desire and passion to do well and to make it to the finals.”

Unfavorable playing conditions saw scores skyrocket as a stiff breeze with gusts around 30 mph made birdies hard to come by, especially for Lipscomb, Vanderbilt and Clemson, who had the latest tee times among the leaders. The Bisons finished with a +5, 869 to secure the last slot to advance from the regional finishing eight strokes ahead of host Middle Tennessee and Troy, who tied for sixth at +13.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Armstrong. “Getting to live a dream that we have had for the last two years. It’s been hard fought and it’s been a grind. The coaches have really prepared us well and we’ve taken initiative to make sure that we’re prepared for any situation that comes our way. I’m sure that we’ll be ready when nationals comes around next week.”

Armstrong posted a final round two-over, 74 to end the tournament with a -8, 208 and a two-stroke advantage over Kennesaw State’s Chris Guglielmo.

“We’re really proud of Dawson,” said Brewer. “He hit a seven iron from 122 yards, downwind, over water to within 20 feet of the hole that allowed him to win by two.  He really stepped up on a really hard day.”

Herd notes:

  • After collecting nine birdies on Tuesday, Armstrong sank just one on Wednesday on his last hole to secure the individual crown.
  • Armstrong led the tournament with 17 birdies and led the scoring on par 4’s with a 3.80 average.
  • Rich Harvest Farms was the site of the 2015 Western Amateur where Armstrong collected medalist honors at the prestigious event in a dramatic playoff win.
  • Mikey Feher posted his best round of the event on Wednesday with a two-under, 70 behind five birdies. He finished the event tied for 17th with a +4, 220 (79-71-70).
  • Eric Ansett and Stoney Crouch both finished tied for 34th at +7, 223 Ansett notched his best round of the week with a +1, 73 after opening the day with three straight birdies.  Crouch tied for the tournament lead with 39 pars with his rounds of 72, 71, 80.  Ansett carded rounds of 75-75-73.
  • Hunter Howell ended the event tied for 57th with a +13, 229 (79-70-80).

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