MCC Golf Captures Rush Fall Invitational; Ivy Earns First Individual Crown

MCC Sports Information
09/26/2006

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College’s golf team entered Tuesday’s final round of the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational with a comfortable twelve shot lead over rival Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

In round two the Eagles distanced themselves even further from the competition by scorching Briarwood Country Club with a 4-under-par team score of 284.

The MCC “Green” team won the event by thirty-one strokes. MCC finished the event at 583 (299-284), breaking 300 each day, while MS Gulf Coast claimed runner-up with a team total of 614 (311-303).

“After round one, I knew that we had to improve to ensure a victory,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich. “But we really played well today. The guys showed just how much potential they have.”

Freshman Joshua Ivy earned his first tournament win as an Eagle with a 4-under-par round on day two. The 68 for Ivy, a Quitman, Miss. Native, was good enough to give him a 2-under-par 36 hole total, 142.

Ivy bested his teammate, NJCAA All-American, sophomore Justin Eaves, by three strokes. Eaves fired a three-under-par 69 in the final round to finish with a two day total of one-over-par, 145.

MCC freshman Curt Sparks fired a one-under-par 71 to help the MCC “Green” team. Sparks finished the event with a two day total of 154.

Eagle sophomore Dustin Petit finished with a two day total of 150 (74-76).

First round individual medalist leader, Bryant Self, a member of MCC’s “White” team, shot 77 on day two to finish with a 149 two day total.

All in all, three MCC linksters fired under par round’s on the final day. Freshman Ivy (68) and Sparks (71) and sophomore Eaves (69).

The tournament total score of 583 is the best 36-hole performance by MCC since the 2006 MACJC/Region XXIII championship.

MCC will take a week off from competitive action before traveling to Georgia for the Andrew College Invitational on Oct. 8-9.

MCC/Rush Fall Invitational
Team Results (par 576 (288, 288))
1. MCC “Green” = 583 (299,284)
2. MS Gulf Coast = 614 (311,303)
3. MCC “White” = 636 (322,314)
4. East Central = 642 (323,319)
5. Pearl River = 648 (325,323)

MCC “Green” Scores
Joshua Ivy- 142 (74,68) Individual Medalist
Justin Eaves- 145 (76,69) All Tournament Team
Dustin Petit- 150 (74,76) All Tournament Team
Jarrod Lemaster- 153 (75,78) All Tournament Team
Curt Sparks- 154 (83,71)

MCC “White” Scores
Bryant Self – 149 (72,77) All Tournament Team
Zach Rushing- 161 (81,80)
Reid Kennedy- 165 (82,83)
Cole Clopton- 167 (90, 77)
Michael Burton- 167 (87,80)

MCC Individual
Ryan Hill- 156 (77,79)