MCC Golf claims runner-up at ECCC; Eaves, Petit All Tournament Team

03/25/2007

FOREST, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 298 on Sunday to finish runner-up at the East Central Classic held at the Forest Country Club. All twelve Mississippi Junior College golf teams competed in the event. MCC finished the tournament with a 591 and maintained their position from their first round score of 293 on Saturday. The second place finish was MCC’s ninth top-five placing of the 2006-07 season.

Sophomore Justin Eaves was MCC's top finisher, shooting two-under par for the event. Eaves finished in a tie for 1st, but lost in a scorecard play-off. With rounds of 70-70 (140) Eaves was named to the All Tournament team. Eaves has now earned four All Tournament team honors this year along with shooting seven rounds of even-par or better.

Sophomore Dustin Petit joined his teammate on the All Tournament team with rounds of 73-71 (144). This is Petit’s fourth All Tournament team honor this year and his second round of even-par or better.

Freshman Jarrod Lemaster shot 74-78 (144), sophomore Cole Clopton shot 76-79 (155) and freshman Bryant Self shot 77-81 (159).

Joshua Ivy and Zach Rushing competed as individuals for MCC. Ivy fired rounds of 75-73 (148), while Rushing shot 80-79 (159).

“I was real proud of Dustin and Justin,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“Dustin was three over after two holes then fired three under his next 16 and Justin just played great all weekend.”

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College distanced themselves from the field in the first round, with a 285. On day two the Bulldogs fired a 294 to win the team title by 12 strokes. Co-Lin CC’s Grant McDonnieal won the individual crown, by winning the scorecard playoff with MCC’s Eaves. McDonnieal shot 70-70 (140).

“Give Gulf Coast credit, they played really steady and could’ve gone even lower, which is the scary part. It should be interesting now at State/Region with Gulf Coast playing this well,” Covich said.

MCC's next action will come April 2-3 when the Eagles travel to Sardis, Miss., to compete in the Northwest Mississippi/Itawamba Invitational held at Mallard Point Golf Course.

ECCC Classic/Par 71/Final Team Results (Top Four)

1. MS Gulf Coast 579 (285-294)
2. MCC 591 (293-298)
3. Hinds 595 (294-301)
4. ECCC 612 (308-304)