Nova Rolls to Commanding Win at Florida Blue SSC Men’s Golf Championship
BRADENTON, Fla. - Nova Southeastern posted a commanding 37-stroke victory to claim its second straight conference title on Tuesday at the 2012 Florida Blue Sunshine State Conference Men's Golf Championship. The event was held at The Concession in Bradenton, Fla.
The University of Tampa hosted the event, finishing ninth overall. Mark Cleary was the top Spartan with a three-round score of 242. Also competing for UT were Taylor Noel (243), Steven Embree (252), Geoff Baulet (255) and Josh Detmer (272).
The Sharks turned in a final-round score of 297 to build on an already-commanding 19-stroke lead after day one competition. NSU completed the 54-hole tournament with a score of 876 (298-281-297).
Nova Southeastern golfers claimed the top four spots in the individual standings, led by medalist Ben Taylor's score of 216 (77-72-67). Taylor rolled to a five-under-par 67 in Tuesday's final round to win the event. Oscar Lengden finished second with a 217 (74-68-75). Ricardo Celia (74-74-75) and Mitch Farrer (73-70-80) tied for third, with each golfer posting a score of 223.
Florida Tech's Christian Westhorpe (74-74-75) also carded a three-round total of 223 to take the fifth and final slot on the All-Tournament Team along with the quartet of Shark golfers.
Florida Southern placed second in the final team standings with a score of 913 (297-301-315). Florida Tech finished third, just one stroke behind the Moccasins with a 914 (299-299-316).
Lynn was fourth with a tally of 921 (303-302-316), and Barry rounded out the top five with a 925 (306-301-318).
Eckerd concluded the championship in sixth place (300-304-328=932). Rollins placed seventh (323-291-326=940). Saint Leo (314-312-324=950) and Tampa (316-315-361=992) rounded out the standings.
Nova Southeastern's title is the fifth in program history.