MCC Golf wraps up fall schedule with Top-5

The Meridian Star
Nov. 14, 2006

MOBILE, Ala. - Meridian Community College sophomore Justin Eaves added yet another All Tournament team honor to his MCC golfing career. The Louisville native finished in the top-10 at the University of Mobile Fall Classic and led the MCC golf team to a fifth place in the team standings after Monday's final round. The Eagles concluded their fall schedule by finishing in sole possession of fifth place after shooting a two day team total of 605 (306-299). MCC was one of only two NJCAA Div. II golf teams competing in the 16 team field which included four-year schools: Webber International University, University of Mobile, Spring Hill College, St. Thomas University, Faulkner University, William Carey College and others.

“This was defiantly one of the strongest fields that we have competed in,” said MCC head golf coach Sean Covich. “I was happy for our guys, they fought back the second day to leap a few schools and place in the top five. To do that against mostly four-year universities was quite an accomplishment.”

Eaves fired the lowest round of the day for the Eagles with an even-par 72 and finished the tournament with a two-round total of 3-over par 147 (75-72), while MCC sophomore Dustin Petit finished with a 5-over par 149 (73-76).

“Justin Eaves played really well,” said Covich. “He was even-par for his last 34 holes played. If he had stared better on the first day, he might have won the medalist title, but nonetheless, another solid tournament for our sophomore team captain.”

Freshmen Joshua Ivy and Jarrod Lemaster each posted scores in the 70’s both days. Ivy posted a 10-over 154 (79-75) and Jarrod Lemaster posted an 11-over par 155 (79-76). Sophomore Cole Clopton shot 167 (83-84) for the Eagles.

Brevard (FL) Community College, a seven-time NJCAA national champion, entered the final round with a three-shot lead and posted a team total of 5-over 293 on Monday to win the team title by 9 strokes over Webber International University with a two-round total of 585. Spring Hill College slipped from second to third place firing 295-305 (600). Central Alabama finished fourth with a 601 (302- 299), just four shots ahead of MCC.

The top-5 finish at Mobile completed a successful fall season for 1st year MCC head coach Sean Covich and his Eagle golf team. MCC competed in six events which included two tournament championships, three top-5 and one top-10 finishes. Individually the Eagles had six All Tournament Team members, two medalist, and one medalist runner-up.

“It was a wonderful fall season, both individually and as a team,” said Covich. “I really want to thank the members of Briarwood and Northwood, plus those supporters at NAS-Ponta Creek and Lakeview, without those people we wouldn't‚t be one of the more successful golf programs in the NJCAA.”

The Eagles have wrapped up their fall schedule and will break for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays before returning to action in early February.