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BRASELTON, Ga. – The No. 24-ranked Kennesaw State men's golf team's bid for a second conference title came up short as the Owls finished second to No. 26 North Florida at the 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Championships that concluded Tuesday (April 21) at the par-70, 6,626-yard Legends Course at Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Ga.
 
Kennesaw State suffered a difficult beginning to its final round and it proved too much to overcome as the Owls finished second at the conference championships for the second year in a row.
 
KSU posted a final-round 12-over par 292 to finish the 54-hole event at 16-over par 856 and seven shots behind No. 26 North Florida, which recorded a closing-round 3-under par 277 to conclude play at 9-over par 849.
 
"Obviously we had a lot of golf today. I thought we had a good game plan and mindset approaching the day, last two rounds and finishing up the first round," Kennesaw State head coach Jay Moseley said. "Things just didn't go our way in the third round.  We played very, very solid in the second round. I was proud with the way we played in round two.
 
"I just hate it for these guys and I know our seniors wanted to win this week really bad," Moseley said. "I know we're all a little gutted right now, but that's just the competitiveness of this group and I am proud of each and every one of them for giving it everything they had today."
 
Senior Jimmy Beck tied for second in the individual standings with a 2-under par 208 total, one shot behind North Florida's Austin Padova, who concluded his tournament with a 2-under 68 to finish at 3-under par 207.
 
Beck and Padova went to the 54th hole tied and each player at a birdie opportunity. Beck's putt from just outside 25 feet fell below the hole, while Padova made an 8-foot putt to claim individual medalist honors.
 
"I'm extremely proud of Jimmy. The weeks leading up to this, he definitely did not play his best golf and was battling through some hip issues and obviously he found a way to play some great golf this week," Moseley said. "I would have loved to see him make one more birdie and have a chance to win individually, but he played great."
 
Freshman Fredrik Nilehn finished sixth with a 3-over par 213 total, while senior Austin Vick (215, +5) tied for ninth, sophomore Teremoana Beacousin (224, +14) tied for 15th and senior Kelby Burton (226, +16) finished 21st.
 
"Austin fought for every shot out there this week. He played his heart out and played really solid for us in that second round and just didn't get off to a good start in the third round," Moseley said. "Kelby was the first guy I ever signed here at Kennesaw State and I'm extremely proud of what he has meant to our program."
 
The Owls, who held a one-shot lead over Lipscomb after 18 holes, extended their lead in the second round behind solid play from Nilehn (67), Vick (68) and Beck (69) as Kennesaw State posted a 3-under par total of 277 to take an eight-shot lead over North Florida.
 
Beck and sophomore Teremoana Beaucousin paced the Owls in the first round with 1-over par scores of 71 to help Kennesaw State to a 7-over par 287 total and one shot advantage over Lipscomb (288).
 
Kennesaw State will now await the May 4 announcement of the 81-team field to the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships that will air live on the Golf Channel at 10 a.m. (ET).
 
Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted May 14-16. Thirteen teams and ten individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals.
 
Regional sites include Ball State, North Carolina, San Diego, Texas Tech, Washington and Yale. The finals will be conducted May 29 – June 3 at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. South Florida is the host institution for the 2015 championships.

All-Tournament Team
Austin Padova (North Florida)
Jimmy Beck (Kennesaw State)
Dawson Armstrong (Lipscomb)
Taylor Hancock (North Florida)
Eric Ansett (Lipscomb)
 
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