In its best performance in nine years the Guilford Golf team led by Coach Jack Jensen, took second place in one of the closest NCAA championships in history.Andrew Biggadyke, David Patterson, and Savio Nazareth took home All-America honors making this the first Quakers team to have three honorees since the 1987 team. Guilford’s 1987 team also took second place at the NAIA National Tournament.
Biggadyke finished third overall, the best performance by a Guilford Golfer since Chris Haarlow ’91 at the 1990 NAIA National Tournament.
It was a dogfight the whole way. When it was all said and done there was only a one-stroke difference between the first, second and third teams, with Methodist College taking third and the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds taking home the title.
“I didn’t think we deserved second place, cause we played pretty well.” said Guilford senior Savio Nazareth, who earned third- team all-America honors. “ But I think we’ve got a good shot at nationals this year.” Nazareth wrapped up his tournament taking 18th at 295.
Guilford held a one-stroke lead going into Thursday, the final round, only to find themselves down two strokes after the day’s first nine holes. With Biggadike shooting even on the last nine holes of the tournament, and Patterson shooting one over par, the Quakers were in contention until the very end.
“All of it was a new experience for me, it was neat.” said David Patterson, who shot a 68, a tournament low. “ They [Wisconsin-Eau Claire] were just making the right shots at the right time, it was their tournament to win.” Patterson finished the tournament taking the ten spot with 291 total strokes tallied in tournament.
Clint Fields, the lone senior on the team, finished 38th with a 303 in his final college appearance. And junior Andrew Eversole took 33rd with a 302.Guilford tallied an 1163, the third lowest in school history in 72 hole play.
“We were extremely proud of our team, disappointed we couldn’t shoot one stroke better, but we were extremely proud.” said Quakers coach Jack Jensen. “ It’s a pretty good deal finishing second in the nation.”
No one ever wants just second place but with the Quakers only losing one senior there are high hopes of taking it all this year. So watch out!