NEWS

Bethune-Cookman women near 12th title at PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

By Bob Denney
Published on
Bethune-Cookman women near 12th title at PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

 
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.– Bethune-Cookman University is poised to extend a lofty women’s golf record, while Alabama State University’s men’s team surged to write its own historic chapter Saturday in the 29th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.
 
Three-time defending women’s champion Bethune-Cookman built a 24-stroke advantage over the University of Houston-Victoria heading into Sunday’s finale of the 54-hole Championship. The Wildcats have a 589 total and are in search of a 12th title.
 
The 2015 edition of the Championship features 220 players representing 50 colleges and universities, 12 countries and two U.S. territories. 
 
Alabama State University’s men’s team seeks its first national crown with a quintet composed of players from Canada, Trinidad-Tobago, Puerto Rico and Georgia. The Hornets posted a 592 total, surging past first-round leader Florida A&M (606). The University of the Incarnate Word is third at 613, followed by Tennessee State (613); and two-time defending champion Bethune-Cookman University (617).
 
Alabama State junior Branson Ferrier, who fired a 66 in the opening round, overcame three bogeys in his first round holes of the back nine of the Wanamaker Course Saturday. He eagled the par-5 16th holes on his way to a 2-under-par 70.
 
“I got off to a good start with a birdie on the first hole, and held it steady through the front nine and birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 really got me in the direction,” said Ferrier, a native of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. “I kind of stumbled on the back nine, and didn’t know what was happening. I got lucky on No. 16, however, hitting another 7-iron into the green. I made a 35-footer uphill for eagle and got lucky on No. 18 with a chip off a hill to 10 feet, where I made that for par.”
 
Bethune-Cookman’s women arrived at PGA Golf Club on a mission to extend its PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship win streak for a remarkable fourth-straight year.
 
“They did well, everyone is contributing,” said Wildcats Coach and PGA Professional Loritz “Scooter” Clark. “We hope to keep it going just one more day. For them to be able to win would be a huge accomplishment. It would be historical. I am so proud of all of them, especially my three seniors.”
 
Jennifer Hide’s second round 1-under-par 71 led the Wildcats. All five Bethune-Cookman players—Patrizia Trevisan 74—147; Andrea Orozco 75—148; Mackenzie Butzer 78—150; Alice Plumb 74—151; and Hide 71—149 are also within six strokes of the overall women’s medalist leader, Heather Shake of Houston-Victoria. 
 
“They look at it as team first, and if anything individual, then that’s great, too,” added Clark.
 
Shake followed her opening round 67 by struggling to a 78, and a 145 total, a stroke better than Texas Southern’s Kassandra Rivera 73—146.
 
Delaware State’s Elaine Peete, the daughter of the late PGA Tour legend Calvin Peete is just two strokes off the medalist pace, as is Cheryl Chua of Hampton University. Peete passed away last week. 
 
Chua’s sister, Grace 75—148 of the University of Delaware, leads the separate Women’s Individual Invitational. She is two strokes ahead of Cathleen Wong 78—150 and three strokes ahead of defending champion Tiana Jones, a PGA Golf Management University Program student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
A third Chua sibling, Cherie, is also in the field, competing for Texas Southern.
 
The PGA of America and the LPGA will jointly award the woman with the lowest overall score in the 2015 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship an exemption into the Symetra Tour’s Mission Health Wellness Classic, May 15-17, at the Country Club of Asheville in North Carolina.
 
In Men’s Division II, no school in the entire Championship has traveled further (more than 2,600 miles) to PGA Golf Club than Cal State Dominguez Hills of Carson, California. Paced by Senior Ryan Saldana’s second round 73—151, the Toros hold a two-shot advantage over Texas A&M International.
 
Yet, the second-place Dustdevils played four strokes better on the day to close the gap, led by Steven Martinez’s one-under-par 71, the lowest round in the Division.
 
“We really enjoy this tournament, it’s the best event we play all year,” said Cal State Dominguez Hills Head Golf Coach Ronald Eastman, whose team includes four seniors and one junior. “Still, I think we left a lot of shots on the golf course in the first two rounds.”
 
The University of Texas at Brownsville expanded its lead to 31 strokes in the NAIA Division over University of Houston-Victoria. The UTB Ocelots stand at 4-over-par (285-295-580), led by a pair of 73s Saturday from senior Saad Milan and freshman Angel Aguirre, both of Torreon Coahuila, Mexico.
 
“I’m so impressed with the conditions, even when you hit a bad shot, you have a chance for an up and down,” said Milan. “We know we have a big advantage, but we still need to play smart tomorrow, because we know one bad hole could ruin the entire round.”
 
Foiled in his plans for an Individual Men’s title last year, when he stumbled in the final round to third, LeMoyne-Owen College senior Dominique Worthen, needed only 27 putts to post a 67 and a two-stroke lead at 143.
 
“I got the putter rolling. Every time I needed a putt, I made it,” said Worthen, a native of Flint, Michigan. “My only stumble was the par-5 16th hole, where I got a little aggressive, hitting a 5-iron over the green and not getting up and down.” He had six birdies and a bogey.
 
Siyan Liu, a freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic University and a native of Beijing, China, was a 145 after a 69, which was his best competitive round in the U.S.
 
In the Division II men’s competition, Cal State University Dominguez Hills leads at 306, followed by Livingstone College at 308, and Texas A&M International University is third at 312.
 
Siyan Liu, a freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic University and a native of Beijing, China, was at 145 after a 69, which was his best competitive round in the U.S.
 
The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship has elevated golf in minority colleges and universities by providing opportunities for players to compete in a national championship. In 2006, the PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.
 
29th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship
PGA Golf Club - Ryder and Wanamaker Courses
Port St. Lucie, Fla.
 
Second-Round Scores
 
Men’s Team Division I
1. Alabama State 301-291--592
Branson Ferrier 66-70—136
Andrei Collins 77-73—150
Ian Mmbando 79-75—154
Francis Berthiaume 79-77—156
Jose Rodriguez 86-73—159
 
2. Florida A&M 299-307--606
Lyron Henderson 70-79—149
Kevin Parker 76-75—151
Omari Whitmore 78-76—154
Anthony Phipps 84-77—161
Dennis Minefee 75-86—161
 
3. Incarnate Word 310-300--610
Austin Wylie 74-78—152
Kevin Smith 76-76—152
Myles Dumont 77-75—152
Christopher Martinez  83-73—156
Pedro Martinez 87-76—163
 
4. Tennessee State 308-305--613
Andy Stout 73-74—147
Todd McGill 77-74—151
Jermey Fultz 79-76—155
Matthew Campbell 79-81—160
Dallas Hill 84-82—166
 
5. Bethune-Cookman 307-310--617
Ian Clark 74-77—151
Daniel Kovari 78-76—154
Leon Fricker 76-79—155
Jackson Kneeshaw 79-78—157
Alvaro Ramirez 84-79—163
 
6. Savannah State 313-308--621
Travis Roe 74-70—144
Brandon Neals 74-79—153
Riley Keagle 80-84—164
Hayden Barrows 85-81—166
Scott Rogers 89-78—167
 
7. Chicago State 322-300--622
Dan Patkunas 81-70—151
Austin Egbers 78-75—153
David Keenan 78-77—155
Drew Vannoy 85-78—163
Miles Bailey 88-91—179
 
8. Maryland Eastern Shore 312-317--629
Demarkis Cooper 79-72—151
Bryce Young 74-80—154
Norman Blanco 76-82—158
Timothy Mitchell 83-83—166
 
9. North Carolina Central 322-311--633
Zane Lewis 82-76—158
Sumner Tate 81-77—158
Jordan Bohannon 82-78—160
Michael Wilson 81-80—161
Garreth Carpenter 78-84—162
 
10. Texas Southern 319-318--637
Renior Knox 76-82—158
Thomas McLaughlin 84-76—160
Jarett Croff 82-79—161
Blake Lolato 81-81--162
Connor Mathers 80-92—172
 
11. Hampton 333-331--664
Toiriste O'Neal 81-77—158
Kenneth Gaither 81-84—165
JeVon Bell 85-83—168
Dawson Hobbs 86-87—173
Arthur Davis 91-96—187
 
12. Prairie View A&M 354-329--683
Gabriel Hernandez 82-82—164
John Jones 91-78—169
Jason Hudson 92-83—175
Harold Carter  III 89-86—175
Vlryn Veal 95-87—182
 
 
Women’s Team Division
1. Bethune-Cookman 295-294--589 
Patrizia Trevisan 73-74—147
Andrea Orozco 73-75—148 
Jennifer Hide 78-71—149 
Mackenzie Butzer 72-78—150 
Alice Plumb 77-74—151 
 
2. Houston-Victoria 303-310—-613
Heather Shake 67-78—145 
Rebecca Benchot 77-77—154 
Shelbi Vincent 80-77—157 
Brooke Brasseaux 81-78—159 
Hayley Harris 79-83—162 
 
T3. Delaware State 312-313—-625
Elaine Peete 74-73—147 
Suchada Anusuriya 76-80—156 
Samyra Lewis 82-76—158
Brooke Foster 81-84—165 
Ireanna Peete 81-86—167 
 
T3. Texas Southern 315-310—-625
Kassandra Rivera 73-73—146 
Cherie Chua 79-76—155
Allison Flores 82-77—159 
Carmen Gonzales 81-84—165 
Jalyn Kuykendall 87-95—182 
 
T5. Chicago State 317-320—-637
Fernanda Valdes Solis 75-77—152
Talialaina Letoi 77-80—157
Pia Serrano 82-82—164 
Taneka Sandiford 83-81—164
TiAnna Ford 86-107--193
 
T5. Hampton 314-323—-637
Cheryl Chua 71-76—147 
Britney Smith 79-76—155 
Zora Moore 77-82—159 
Treliah Samuels 87-91—178
Milan James 90-89—179 
 
7. Texas A&M International 344-323—-667
Begona Aranguren 80-77—157
Sasha Linauskas 84-77—161 
Abigail Palacios 88-86—174 
Hannah Jiao 92-83—175 
Amber Lopez 97-96—193 
 
8. Texas at Brownsville 345-330-—675
Veronika Vasquez 82-77—159 
Deanna Portillo 82-81—163 
Angela Zepeda 86-82—168 
Leanna Saenz 95-90—185
 
9. Lincoln 352-367—-719
Sophia Pardalos 82-86—168
Mackenzie Wilson 84-92—176 
Lauren McHenry 86-94—180
Hanna Berendzen 100-95—195
 
 
Women’s Individual Invitational
1. Grace Chua, University of Delaware 73-75--148
2. Cathleen Wong, Florida Gulf Coast University 72-78--150
3. Tiana Jones, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 73-78--151
4. Adriana Trevino, Texas Southern University 82-72--154
5. Rachele Orme, Savannah State University 75-81--156
6. Hillary Washington, Texas Southern University 82-81--163
7. Sydney Woolfolk, Savannah State University 80-84--164
8. Sierra Everson, University of Akron 87-85--172
9. Jocelyn Williams, Savannah State University 84-89--173
10. Iyana Monagan, Delaware State University 88-89--177
11. Taylor Schwarz, Northern Kentucky University 96-87--183
12. Briana Trevino, Texas Southern University 100-84--184
 
 
Men’s Team Division II
1. Cal State Dominguez Hills 306-304—-610
Bret Gleason 76-74—150
Ryan Saldana 78-73—151
Brantly Blew 80-76—156  
Shane Kowal 77-81—158
Cameron MacDonald 75-83—158
 
2. Texas A&M International 312-300—-612
Steven Martinez 75-71—146
Sammie Goldfarb III 77-74—151
Rogelio Jimenez 78-78—156
Andres Aranguren 82-77—159
Zachary Jackson 83-78—161
 
3. Livingstone College 308-320—-628
Phillip Harrison 71-77—148
Telvin Walker 77-82—159
Harry Standberry 79-81—160
Lennoris Williams 81-80—161
Stephen Washington 81-82—163
 
4. Lincoln 319-320-—639
Blake Lammers 71-75—146
Cody Shaw 82-78—160
Austin Ruediger 81-80—161
Drew Geritz 85-87—172
 
5. Fayetteville State 317-330—-647
Jared Chinn 72-77—149
Brandon Jobe 75-77—152 
Christopher Jackson 81-79—160  
Cameron Hughes 89-97—186 
Corbin Rascoe NC-NC—NC
 
6. Benedict College 333-315-—648
Kelly Allen 76-78—154
Rajai Cousley 84-75—159 
Eddie Smith 83-83—166
Marques Edwards 90-79—169
Rhalston Jones 90-84—174
 
7. Morehouse College 320-332-—652
Justin McElderry 81-80—161
Tommy Swearingen 81-81—162  
Harvey Allen 79-83—162  
Anthony Body 79-88—167  
Caleb May 88-90—178 
 
8. Miles College 352-332—-684
Jacob McCurry 79-72—151
Vitthal Parker 83-87—170
Khaliq Dansby 89-86—175 
Michael Fegan 101-87—188
Marcel Pickett 122-122—244
 
9. LeMoyne-Owen College 436-514—-950
Darryl Lewis 101-98—199
Anthony Smith 95-107—202
Kemario Davis 115-158—273
Kevon Eskridge 125-151—276
Christian Coburn NC-NC—NC
 
 
Men’s Team NAIA
1. Texas at Brownsville 285-295-—580
Saad Milan 71-73—144
Angel Aguirre 71-73—144
Gage Murphy 70-75—145
Justin Kitten 73-76—149
Stevan Hinojosa 76-74—150
 
2. Houston-Victoria 300-311-—611
Vance Edwards 70-74—144
Will Hicks 73-82—155
Steven Jones 80-76—156
Cristian Esparza 77-79—156
Jake Truss NC-82—NC
 
3. Edward Waters College 315-306—-621
Guido Vidotto 75-73—148
Bartosh Kaminski 77-79—156
Alvin Vicioso 82-75—157
Robel Woldagriel 81-79—160
 
4. Haskell Indian Nations 316-324-—640
William Wilson 74-78—152
Deryk Speck 82-80—162 
Josiah Kurley 78-84—162
Joshua Little Axe 82-86—168  
Trevor Pueblo 87-82—169 
 
 
Men’s Individual Invitational
1. Dominique Worthen, LeMoyne-Owen College 76-67--143
2. Siyan Liu, Palm Beach Atlantic University 76-69--145
3. Danny De Los Santos, Mississippi Gulf Coast 76-73--149
4.. Benjarong Murray, Palm Beach Atlantic University 72-79--151
T5. Will Smart II, Alabama A&M 76-76--152
T5. William Wells, Texas Southern University 81-71--152
7. Joseph Stills, University of West Florida 76-77--153
T8. Charles Griffin, Alabama State University 77-77--154
T8. Matthew Chen, Florida Gulf Coast University 77-77--154
T8. Nqobani Ndabambi, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 75-79--154
T8. Phil Soo Kim, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 75-79--154
12. Gavin Parker, Campbell University 78-77--155
T13. William Godfrey, Francis Marion University 78-79--157
T13. Luther Thompson II, Meridian Community College 83-74--157
T13. John Hulede, Towson University 77-80--157
T13. Kevin Lim, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 81-76--157
17. Victor Choi, Clemson University 75-83--158
18. Taylor Nelson, Virginia Union University 77-83--160
19. William White, Elizabeth City State University 87-74--161
20. Martre Lind, Texas Southern University 81-81--162
T21. Curtis Vinson, Elizabeth City State University 79-84--163
T21. Josiah Brown, Texas Southern University 83-80--163
T21. Matthew Dismuke, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 82-81--163
24. Jahmar Seltzer, Allegany College of Maryland 85-79--164
25. Luis Colon, Texas Southern University 86-80--166
26. Dominique Johnson, Allegany College of Maryland 84-84--168
27. Daniel Castano, Methodist University 88-82--170
28. Brencis Stanford, Johnson C. Smith University 86-85--171
T29. Joshua Steger, Johnson C. Smith University 89-83--172
T29. Kijontray McClay, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 86-86--172
T29. Nivel Felicien, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 93-79--172
32. Patrick Harris, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 87-87--174
33. Josiah Singletary, Methodist University 88-87--175
34. Robert Calvin Mason, Johnson C. Smith University 92-84--176
35. Michael Harden, Clemson University 89-88--177
36. Jordan Hall, Methodist University 88-90--178
37. Johanan Edmeade, Johnson C. Smith University 89-90--179
38. Marquis Usher, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 85-96--181
39. Brandon Bolling, Lewis University 89-95--184
40. Brandon Bailey, Virginia Union University 95-92--187
41. Eddie Crawford, Methodist University 105-96--201
Keilan Sullivan, Prairie View A&M University 91-NC--NC