By: By Al Barba
LOXLEY, Ala. – The No. 31-ranked Kennesaw State men's golf team turned in a record-breaking performance while posting a convincing victory at the Steelwood Intercollegiate that concluded Sunday (Oct. 30) at the par-72, 7,096-yard Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Ala.
Paced by freshman
Connor Coffee, who claimed individual medalist honors, the Owls placed four individuals in the top 10 en route to setting a program record for a 54-hole score on a par-72 course.
Kennesaw State totaled a final-round 9-under par 279 to finish at 27-under par 837 and register a 25-shot victory over No. 42 Kentucky, which finished at 2-under par 862. The Owls' total of 837 is a program record, eclipsing the previous mark of 845 set at the 2012 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate and 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate.
"It's hard to describe how well these guys played," head coach
Bryant Odom said. "We came in riding the wave of a win at the Pinetree (Intercollegiate) and never looked back. I am extremely proud of not only winning, but how they finished in style, never letting off the gas."
Coffee (66-70-68) captured his first collegiate tournament after firing a final-round 4-under 68 to finish with a 54-hole total of 12-under par 204 and register a four-shot victory over sophomore teammate
Pablo Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres (71-70-67 – 208), who finished second. The Owls' freshman recorded 20 birdies during the tournament, including nine during his opening round.
"It felt amazing to get my first college win. I have been playing well and knew I had a chance to win coming off my second-place finish last week," Coffee said. "After round one, I had the lead and never gave it up after that. The last nine holes, I knew Pablo was catching up to me, so I had to make sure I closed it out.
"It was a great team win with everyone contributing, a confidence-builder for myself, and nice way to end our fall season," Coffee added.
Coffee's 54-hole total ranks as the third-lowest 54-hole score in program history, two shots behind the all-time record of 14-under par 202 set by Fredrick Nilehn at the 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate. Matthew Nagy totaled a 13-under par 203 at the 2013 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate.
Torres' 8-under par 208 ties for the sixth-lowest 54-hole score in program history.
"Connor and Pablo had a great duel coming down the stretch, but Connor was just too hot with the putter," Odom said. "He was close (to winning) the last few weeks and that experience helped him finish strong today."
Sophomore
Jake Fendt (68-75-71 – 214; -2) tied for seventh, while senior
Teremoana Beaucousin (73-69-73 – 215; -1) tied for 10th. Senior
Christopher Guglielmo (82-71-74 – 227; +11) tied for 45th.
The Owls' victory marks the first time in program history that they have won back-to-back tournaments. KSU last won two fall events in 2014 when it captured the Rees Jones Invitational and Pinetree Intercollegiate.
Kennesaw State has concluded its fall schedule and will open its spring season at the John Burns Intercollegiate in Lihue, Hawaii on Feb. 15.
Keep up with Owls men's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
#GoKSUOwls
