Top-ranked Wallace State men’s golf finishes runner-up in NJCAA District 4 Preview tournament

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State’s top-ranked men’s golf team finished runner-up in the NJCAA District 4 Preview played at TP Country Club in Cullman on Monday and Tuesday.
Wallace State and Eastern Florida State both entered the tournament Monday tied atop the Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll as the top junior college teams in the country. The Titans outlasted Wallace State by eight strokes to win the NJCAA District 4 Preview title this go around after the Lions defeated Eastern Florida State by eight strokes to win the Wallace State Invitational earlier this month.
Eastern Florida State finished the 54-hole tournament with a 13-under par 851. Wallace State shot a 5-under 859 as a group.
Wallace State freshman Trey Hanvey and sophomore Walker Gordon each earned All-Tournament recognition for the first time in their collegiate careers.
Hanvey, a Fairview High graduate, finished fourth overall in his second collegiate tournament. He carded a 7-under 209, shooting a 68-69-72. Hanvey competed in Wallace State’s second flight.
Gordon, who was a key member of last season’s conference championship team, followed Hanvey in fifth place. The Lauderdale County graduate finished with a 4-under 212. He shot a 70-70-72.
“We had a solid tournament. Eastern Florida State just had a better tournament than we did. They’ve got a strong team. They came up here in our own backyard and beat us. We’ll see if we can win in their backyard in a couple of weeks,” said Wallace State golf coach Dan York, a NJCAA Hall of Famer who has led the program since 1987. “This tournament was a golden example of how important it is for us to have different players step up. They’re all capable. I’m thrilled for Walker Gordon and Trey Hanvey for making All-Tournament. It’s a great accomplishment for both of them. They competed against some great golfers.”
Eastern Florida State’s Kerry Sweeney was the tournament’s low medalist after edging Faulkner State’s P.J. Shields in a two-hole playoff. Sweeney and Shields each finished with a 9-under 207 to force the tiebreaker.
Wallace State sophomore Sylas Elliott, the WSCC Fall Invitational low medalist earlier this month, finished with an even par 216 over the two-day tournament, shooting a 73-73-70.
Freshman B.J. Scott placed ninth for the Lions with a 1-over 217 (70-72-75).
Wallace State’s Chip Willoughby completed the event in a three-way tie for 10^th after finishing with a 2-over 218 (74, 69, 75).
Eastern Florida State led by 10 strokes after 36 holes on Monday and shot even par on Tuesday to earn the NJCAA District 4 Preview crown.
Faulkner State finished third with a 17-over 881 and Central Alabama placed fourth with an 882.
John A. Logan (Ill.) College, Cape Fear (N.C.) CC and Wake Technical (N.C.) CC rounded out the tournament field.
Wallace State’s next fall event is the NJCAA National Tournament Preview scheduled for Oct. 11-13 in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.ahletics.wallacestate.edu.