Lawrence Wins Stetson/CFSC Invitational
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Nov. 4, 2008
Final Tournament Results in PDF Format
DeLand, Fla. - USC Upstate men's golfer Michael Lawrence faced his closest competitor, Stetson's Thomas Parker, in the hunt for the individual championship at the Stetson/CFSC Invitational Tuesday at Victoria Hills Country Club north of Orlando, Fla. After watching Parker miss his birdie putt on the final hole, Lawrence stepped up and drained his putt to win the individual title, the second individual championship of his career.
Lawrence entered Tuesday's final round with a one-stroke advantage over Parker. With Upstate and Stetson beginning the day tied atop the team standings, the Spartans and Hatters were paired together in the same group. Lawrence and Parker were also paired together and had a classic showdown. After 18 holes, Lawrence matched Parker's 72 to win the title. It marked the first individual championship for the Spartans this season after winning six last year. Lawrence won the individual championship at the Rutgers Invitational to open the 2007-08 season, Upstate's first playing on the NCAA Division I level.
"I figured it was down to me and Tommy (Parker) and when he missed his birdie attempt, I thought, `perfect.' I read it, it was dead straight and it went in. At that point, I was hoping I won and went to the scoreboard. It was exciting."
"Michael's performance was fantastic," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "He started 3-over through his first seven holes and played his final 11 holes 3-under to win by one. He played for a win all day, kept focused and got it. It's great for him to get a win to end the fall season."
Lawrence led all tournament players in par-4 scoring, finishing 2-under on the par-4s throughout the 54-hole tournament. He also topped the tournament with 11 birdies.
Despite the strong showing by Lawrence, Upstate had an uncharacteristically shaky day as a team, finishing with the seventh-best score of the eight teams in the tournament. The Spartans finished the day with a 298 tally and an 888, 54-hole score to slide two positions into third place. Stetson won the tournament after posting a 285 Tuesday and finishing with an 875 total. Florida Atlantic finished second with an 885 total.
"As a team, we really struggled at the start of today's round and while we had a couple bright spots in Michael and Josh (Gallman), the finish wasn't any better," said Lawton. "The bottom line is that we need our seniors to step up and lead like they are capable of doing. It is my job to help the team learn from our poor finishes and that is a primary goal this off-season."
Rollins finished fourth in the tournament with an 896 total and was followed by Bethune-Cookman (899), Jacksonville (903), S.C. State (909) and Florida A&M (932).
Gallman carded a solid 73 and finished with a 5-over 221 total and in a tie for ninth place. It marked his fourth Top 10 finish in five tournaments this season, and his school record 21st of his career.
Baxter Culler claimed a Top 20 individual finish after turning in a 76 Tuesday and finishing with a 225 total to stand in a tie for 17th. Tyler Tucker finished in a tie for 25th with a 228 total, while Jamie Lightsey was tied for 37th at 236.
