PINEHURST, N.C. – Brandon Weaver ended in a tie for fifth,
Nick Rakes finished T-18
th and Longwood placed sixth as a team at the Pinehurst Intercollegiate on Sunday afternoon.
Weaver's 71-73-74—218 (+5) card, highlighted by seven birdies and just one hole worse than bogey, marked Longwood's second consecutive tournament where a Lancer finished in the top-five, as
Christian Michael ranked third at the Sea Palms Invitational. Sunday's finish also served as the graduate senior's first top-five finish since The NKU fall Collegiate Classic on Sept. 24, 2019. The Purcellville, Va. native ended his tournament in the top-20 scoring on par three, four and five holes, including a 2.83 (-2) average score on par threes, second best in the field.
Rakes joined him in the top-20, as the freshman has now finished his first three collegiate appearances at 31
st or greater. His 18
th place finish at Pinehurst is a new career high, as his seven birdies matched Weaver for the team lead and ranked ninth in the 71-player field. The XX native ranked first in par five scoring, averaging 4.67 (-3) including birdies on both of the par five holes in the front-nine in his final round.
Longwood ended with a team card of 298-294-305—897 (+45), their second-consecutive tournament breaking 900 and setting a season-best with a sixth place finish. The Lancers ranked third out of 12 teams in par three scoring (3.12, +7), par five scoring (5.13, +6), and birdies (27). However, after starting the final round in sole possession of second, the Lancers stumbled on the back nine, as Wofford, Belmont, and Abilene Christian rallied to move up the leader board.
"We knew coming into this morning that almost every team in the field had a chance to win the tournament," said Longwood head coach
Kevin Fillman. "All it would take was one solid round. Our expectation was to be the team to do it, and the fact that we weren't the team to play that round is disappointing for all of us. Although it was nothing spectacular, our start was solid enough. We were definitely right at the lead midway through. From there, nothing went well. We put the ball in a few bad places, but, unlike the first two days, we weren't able to keep our minds and emotions where we needed them to be."
Making his first appearance in 2021,
Brendan Dunphy fired a final round 75 (+4) to end wrap up his debut in 46
th, posting 78-79-75—232 (+19).
Christian Michael and
Daniel George each finished T-42
nd, totaling final scores of 231 (+18).
"In order to win, a team needs to know how to win," added Fillman. "Obviously, we still need to learn how to win, and, hopefully, that process started today."
After competing in tournaments from March 4-6 and March 12-14, the Lancers will have two weeks off before their next action when they head to Williamsburg, Va. for the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate from March 28-20. Hosted by William & Mary, the event will be held at Gold course at Holden Horseshoe Golf Club.
Team Results
1. Dayton, 885 (+33)
2. Abilene Christian, 887 (+35)
3. Wofford, 888 (+36)
4. Belmont, 889 (+37)
5. Elon, 894 (+42)
6. Longwood, 897 (+45)
T7. Old Dominion, 900 (+48)
T7. George Washington, 900 (+48)
T7. Butler, 900 (+48)
10. DePaul, 901 (+49)
11. Marshall, 911 (+59)
12. Xavier, 919 (+67)
Longwood Results
T5.
Brandon Weaver, 71-73-74—218 (+5)
T18.
Nick Rakes, 76-72-76—224 (+11)
T42.
Christian Michael, 77-74-80—231 (+18)
T42.
Daniel George, 74-75-82—231 (+18)
T46.
Brendan Dunphy, 78-79-75—231 (+19)
#GoWood
