No. 8 Wallace State golf team finishes runner-up in its season-opening Fall Invitational
CULLMAN – No. 8 Wallace State golf finished runner-up Tuesday in its annual fall tournament at Cullman Golf Course, continuing to inch closer to defending national champion and top-ranked Central Alabama.
The Lions shot a 54-hole total of 842 (22-under par), concluding the tournament five strokes behind Central Alabama.
“I was disappointed we didn’t win, but on the same token we played great all three rounds and finished well under par as a team,” said Wallace State coach Dan York, a NJCAA Hall of Famer. “Central Alabama beat us by 30 strokes at this time last year, so we are narrowing the gap. We have to get better to get even closer.
“I’m encouraged and excited about this team. I believe it’s going to be a great year for Wallace State golf.”
Wallace State sophomore Chris Atchley put together an impressive fall debut and earned the best individual spot for the Lions. The Buckhorn grad shot a 14-under-par 202, finishing his rounds with scores of 65-72-65. Atchley was clipped by Central Alabama’s Tim Walker, who earned low medalist by shooting a 16-under 200.
Atchley was named to the Wallace State Fall Invitational All-Tournament team after his stellar three-round work. He entered the tournament a little more than four months removed from claiming low medalist honors at the 2013 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 state tournament held at Decatur.
Sophomore Aksel Olsen, Wallace State’s No. 1 and defending NJCAA individual national champion, finished seventh in the invitational, carding a 5-under (72-69-70).
Wallace State’s Cooper Brown, a Canadian, was 2-under for a 10th-place finish. Additionally for Wallace State, Patrick Twesme finished even par, while Will McDowell was 9-over.
Faulkner State, Darton (Ga.) State and Eastern Florida State College, formerly Brevard CC, also competed in the invitational.
Wallace State’s next match is scheduled for Oct. 14-15 at the NJCAA National Preview Tournament in Burlington, Iowa.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.
Photos:
Top: Wallace State sophomore Patrick Twesme completes his swing on a putt at the Wallace Sate Fall Invitational held at Cullman Golf Course.
Left: Wallace State sophomore Chris Atchley watches one of his drives during the Wallace State Fall Invitational held Monday and Tuesday at Cullman Golf Course. Atchley finished with an impressive 14-under-par 202.
Right: Wallace State defending NJCAA individual national champion Aksel Olsen sizes up a putt during the Wallace State Fall Invitational. Olsen finished in seventh place.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
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Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu