Coker College Defeats Barton in Playoff

to Win the 2009 Carolina Sands Collegiate Invitational

WHITE LAKE, N.C. - For the second consecutive year Coker College took home the Carolina Sands tournament title, winning the event on a one-hole playoff over Barton College, as the Cobras' Christopher Marsh won individual medalist honors after defeating the Bulldogs' Thomas Muto, Jr., also in a playoff at the 2009 Carolina Sands Intercollegiate.

Both Marsh (70-68) and Muto (69-69) posted a six-under par 138 over 36 holes at the par-72, 6,925-yard course, but Marsh took home the title after winning the playoff hole on Sunday afternoon. Both Coker (289-278) and Barton (279-288) posted team rounds of 567, but the Cobras recorded three birdies to just two for the Bulldogs in the playoff round.

The win for Coker marks the second year in a row that the Cobras have won the Carolina Sands team title, while also marking the second consecutive year that a Coker golfer won the individual tournament title. Last year Trey Bridwell won medalist honors, winning the tournament on a one-hole playoff.

Mount Olive College placed third in the team standings, posting rounds of 296 and 282 for a total of 578. Queens (288-291) finished one stroke back of the Trojans in fourth place at 279 and Brevard College (291-292) finished fifth at 583. Host-UNCP placed sixth, combining rounds of 299 and 294 for a 593.

Barton's Jonathan Burke (139) finished tied for third individually with the Royals' C.J. DeBerg (70-69), carding an even-par 72 a day after shooting a round of 67 in round one. MOC's Riley Boyette (75-66) an Barton's Daniel Castleberry (68-73) finished tied for fifth at 141.

The Braves' Jordan Walor finished the tournament tied for seventh with three other golfers, posting rounds of 72 and 70 for a 142. Jonathan McCurry (75-74) tied for 26th with a 149 while teammate Taylor Ferguson (75-75) finished tied for 30th, one stroke back at 150. Scott Lamber (79-75) tied for 44th with a 154 and Andy Case (77-78) tied for 47th with a 155 to round out the UNCP competitors.

Chris Marsh (Georgetown, SC) fired a combined 138 (-6), while John LaDow (Pottstown, PA) and Diego Polo (Guatemala City, Guatemala) each placed seventh with scores of 142 (-2). Jimmy Gillam (Tyrone, PA) shot a 145 (+1) and placed 13th, with Jared Crane (Greenville, SC) shot a 155 (+11).

Eighteen teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia participated in this year's tournament.

Coker College (L-R):  Tommy Baker, (coach), Chris Marsh, Diego Polo, John LaDow, Jimmy Gilliam, Jared Crane

Chris Marsh of Coker College (Medalists; 70/68)

	(L-R) Rich Glenn Elizabethtown/White Lake Chamber President Rich Glenn, Queens University Golfer CJ DeBerg, UNCP Golf Coach David Synan, and Tournament Sponsor Mac Campbell.