University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Caribbean Shootout
Goins, Upstate Win Caribbean Intercollegiate
3/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Ponce, Puerto Rico – USC Upstate fired its second-straight 282 to post a school record 17-under-par total, and freshman Adam Goins (Gaffney, S.C.) shot an even-par 72 to finish at 7-under par to take home the individual championship as Upstate swept the championships at the Caribbean Intercollegiate Wednesday afternoon at the Caribe Costa Golf Resort.
Upstate has made two trips to Puerto Rico in the last two years and has come away with two team championships and two individual titles. Last year, Upstate won the Palmas Del Mar Collegiate Classic with Brian Horton (Boiling Springs, S.C.) and Josh Gallman (Gaffney, S.C.) sharing medalist honors.
This year, Upstate was strong throughout the tournament. The Spartans shot rounds of 283, 282 and 282 to finish at 17-under (847), 10 strokes ahead of Johnson & Wales (857) in second place. Nova Southeastern (858) was third and was followed by Old Dominion (868), St. John's (868), Wilmington (876), Connecticut (884), Tampa (884), Savannah State (893), California (Pa.) (913) and Lincoln (965).
Upstate managed to claim the team championship by having four of its players finish the tournament under par for the first time in program history. In addition to Goins, Matthew Hopper (Gaffney, S.C.) tied for second at 4-under-par, while Brian Horton (Boiling Springs, S.C.) finished tied for fifth at 2-under. Brad Sill (Saprtanburg, S.C.) finished at 1-under for the tournament and tied for ninth, giving Upstate four players in the top 10.
"To have four players under par for 54 holes is something our program has never done," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "It creates a lot of confidence and desire to work harder to succeed."
Goins gutted out a 72 on a day full of pressure in trying to win his first college golf tournament. He struggled early, but holed out a pitch shot for eagle on No. 4 and held it together nicely to finish on top by three strokes.
"Adam had a few three putts, but held on under a lot of pressure," said Lawton. "I am very excited for him. And, it's a great accomplishment as a freshman. It is very encouraging."
Nelson Dickson (Boiling Springs, S.C.) finished tied for 26th after posting a 74 on Wednesday. Kevin Hentz (Bel Air, Md.) played as an individual and finished tied for 48th.
