MCC golf claims top ten finish at NJCAA National Preview

(Huntsville, Ala.) The Meridian Community College golf team struggled on Tuesday in the NJCAA National Championship Preview with a final round team score of 313.

The Eagles were in fifth place after round one and were in seventh going into the final round. MCC finished the tournament in tenth place out of 18 teams.

"It was a disappointing finish to say the least," said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

"We were only a few shots off the lead after the first round and just let it slip away."

"But still, it was a great learning experience for this young team, with just one sophomore on the squad we need all of it we can get."

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Hampton Cove "River" course was the site of the National Preview and will host the 2009 NJCAA Division I National Championship in May. The River course plays to a par 72 at over 7,200 yards.

Lon Morris College of Texas won the Preview with team score of 874, after a playoff, Darton College of Georgia claimed runner-up with 874. MCC finished with a 910 total in tenth place.

Western Texas golfer Matt Law won the event with rounds of 69-69-72 (-6).

For MCC, Nick Hawkes shot 71-78-81, Clay Bounds shot 78-72-77, Garrett Westbrook shot 74-77-79, John Cleveland shot 82-73-77, and Cory Williamson 74-83-80.

18 schools from nine states participated in the event.

MCC will be in action again next week at Windance Country Club in Gulfport for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Invitational, Monday- Tuesday, Oct 20-21.