Bethune-Cookman men and women sweep PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships
By Randy Stutzman The PGA of America
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – It was an exciting final round at PGA Golf Club on Sunday that included two playoffs, with both the men’s and women’s teams from Bethune-Cookman University claiming titles at the 27th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management.
In the women’s division, Bethune-Cookman captured the title in thrilling fashion. The Wildcats defeated the University of Texas-Pan American on the first playoff hole to claim their championship-record 10th overall title.Alvin Vicioso, Edward Waters College NAIA member, hits a shot out of a bunker during the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)
Both teams finished with a 909 total then headed back to the 18th hole on the Ryder Course for the playoff. In the playoff, each team took the four lowest scores of the five players who played the hole. Bethune-Cookman finished with a total score of 1 under par, while Texas-Pan American finished 1 over par on the playoff hole.
Chicago State University finished alone in third place overall at 935.
The Bethune-Cookman women’s team was led by Andrea Orozco, who was also the women’s team medalist, finishing with a 54-hole total of 4-over-par 220.
The Bethune-Cookman men’s team also won in exciting fashion, making up a four-stroke deficit in the final round, and winning by a single stroke over 36-hole leader Texas-Pan American. Alabama State University finished third, 12 strokes behind Bethune-Cookman.
The Wildcat men, who finished with an 883 total, were led by freshman Ryan Fricker. The Englishman shot a final-round 71 on the Wanamaker Course to finish third in the men’s Division I medalist race. Kevin Kirakossian, a senior on the Texas-Pan American team, claimed medalist honors.
“We really didn’t play well yesterday and almost let the Championship slip away,” said Fricker. “I was happy to help the team today and it felt good to win this championship in my first appearance. It was really cool.”
PGA Professional Scooter Clark, the head coach at Bethune-Cookman, was extremely pleased with both team’s performances in the final round.
“It was a long and a very stressful day out there,” said Clark, who is in his third year as head coach. “But both teams really grinded and I am just thrilled to take home both titles in this incredible tournament. It is really satisfying.”
In Division II, Lincoln University from Jefferson City, Mo., took home its fifth overall title, closing with a final-round 302 and an 898 total. Texas A&M International finished second at 922, while Virginia State University finished third at 932.
The Blue Tigers of Lincoln University were led by Steven Mallow, who finished with 4-over-par 220 total.
Zach Smith of Virginia State University claimed Division II medalist honors, finishing with an even-par 216 total.
In the Men's Independent Division, Robert Grant of Alabama State University won an exciting three-person playoff to earn the title. The England native holed-out from 133 yards for eagle on the 18th hole to force the playoff, and hit his approach, on the same 18th hole in the playoff, to two feet for birdie to capture the title in his first attempt.
Justin Watkins, the 2012 men’s independent champion, from the University of Central Oklahoma and Daniel Inocencio of UNLV tied for second place after both made bogey on the playoff hole.
“I absolutely pured the shot from 133 yards and saw it hit the flag. Then I saw my teammates go crazy and I knew it was in,” said Grant. “And then to hit another great shot in the playoff was just incredible. This event is our National Championship and it’s so great to win it.”
In the Women's Independent Division, Alexis Belton of Texas Wesleyan closed with a 74 to win the title by a single stroke over Samantha Garcia of Texas-Pan American.
“I came into the final round and I just wanted to have fun and try to play my best,” said Belton, who was competing in her first PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. “It felt great to win and I can’t wait to come back and play again next year.”
In the NAIA division, Talladega (Ala.) College captured its second title overall title in the Championship and first since 2010. The Tornado led throughout the Championship and finished well ahead of Edward Waters College of Jacksonville, Fla.
Kevin Parker of Edward Waters College claimed the NAIA division medalist honors, finishing with a sparkling 6-under-par 210 total.
The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management, which is celebrating its 27th edition this year, originated in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament, and has elevated golf in minority colleges and universities by providing opportunities to more players to compete in a national championship.
In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.
Final Scores:
Men's Team Division I
1 Bethune-Cookman (+19) 283-306-294---883 Ryan Fricker 69-75-71--215 Matthew McKnight 72-76-76--224 Leon Fricker 69-80-72--221 Emmanuel Petrich 73-76-76--225 Alex Clapp 77-79-75—231
2 Texas Pan American (+20) 294-291-299---884 Kevin Kirakossian 74-67-71--212 Johnathan Sloss 75-77-76--228 Mathew Charles 72-73-76--221 Ricky Solis 73-74-76--223 Chris Felix 76-78-81—235
3 Alabama State (+31) 301-293-301---895 Francis Berthiaume 72-70-76--218 Branson Ferrier 74-70-70--214 Jose Rodriguez 78-77-80--235 Chris Wilson 78-76-75--229 Dan Park 77-83-82—242
4 Tennessee State (+35) 297-302-300---899 Cameron Scitern 75-74-78--227 James Stepp 75-73-74--222 Andrew Warner 72-79-72--223 Dallas Hill 80-76-76--232 Codie Welborn 75-79-80--234
5 Savannah State (+41) 293-313-299---905 Travis Roe 69-77-71--217 Brandon Neals 78-78-76--232 Caleb Simons 77-89-78--244 Scott Rogers 73-79-76--228 Ryan Lassiter 74-79-76--229
6 Florida A&M (+63) 305-313-309---927 Justin Stills 80-75-71--226 Anthony Phipps II 72-77-74--223 Cody Sapp 76-90-83--249 Omari Whitmore 77-71-81--229
7 North Carolina Central 312-307-323---942 Glendon Mabe 74-71-84--229 Spencer Jones 79-77-78--234 Garreth Carpenter 80-83-93--256 Michael Wilson 81-76-79--236 Andre Jones 79-85-82—246
8 Maryland Eastern Shore 325-306-331---962 Mike Veverka 73-73-72--218 Paul Cecil 88-82-87--257 Christopher Toney 84-88-88--260 Jon Seward 81-79-89--249 Michael Ferguson 87-72-84—243
9 Texas Southern 338-324-322---984 William Wells 92-74-81--247 Mike Calvillo 87-84-81--252 Josiah Brown 82-81-81--244 Luis Colon-Gonzalez 90-89-79--258 Quinton Leonard 79-85-85--249
10 Hampton 331-342-325---998 Curtis Fearrington 77-80-79--236 Dawson Hobbs 83-85-83--251 Brandon Reed 86-88-86--260 Mark Irwin 88-89-77--254 Tyler Davis 85-90-97—272
11 Arkansas at Pine Bluff 341-343-328---1012 Nqobani E. Ndabambi 76-75-71--222 Caleb W. Ray 85-85-73--243 Elliott Rollings, Jr. 88-91-89--268 Matthew C. Dismuke 92-96-98--286 Joseph Q. Franklin 96-92-95—283
Men’s Team Division II
1 Lincoln 295-301-302---898 Steven Mallow 71-75-74--220 Austin Wheeler 72-78-76--226 Nick Goeke 76-72-75--223 Kenny Conrad 81-76-77--234 Eric Kosmatka 76-80-81--237
2 Texas A&M International 309-300-313---922 Anthony Martinez 80-74-78--232 Sammie Goldfarb III 75-75-81--231 Juan Ruben Gonzalez 78-79-77--234 Zachary Jackson 76-73-81--230 Alberto Gutierrez 80-78-77--235
3 Virginia State 311-308-313---932 Aaron Bryant 78-81-79--238 Zack Smith 75-68-73--216 Rashad Hunt 79-86-80--245 Adam Clary 79-81-81--241 Ben Shields 82-78-88--248
4 Virginia Union 326-314-321---961 Mason Simpson 75-73-71--219 Taylor Nelson 88-71-85--244 Julian Bowers 85-84-79--248 J. Freeman Johnson 78-86-86--250 Stephen Velasquez 106-97-107--310
5 Fayetteville State 337-312-314---963 Jacob Barge 72-76-72--220 Brandon Jobe 81-74-72--227 Justin Smith 87-82-79--248 Jake Bergman 101-80-91--272 Antonio Mayo 97-97-97--291
6 Morehouse College 328-330-325---983 Justin McElderry 88-87-80--255 Bruce Cousin 80-80-80--240 Christopher Norman 78-85-88--251 Anthony Body 82-78-77--237 Caleb May 92-91-90--273
7 Paine College 335-317-336---988 Carlos Solis 73-70-77--220 Victor Tapia 80-78-77--235 Jerrell Hubbard 80-75-83--238 Jordan Bailey 103-NC-NC--NC Ralph Godbee 102-94-99--295
8 St. Augustine's University 334-335-346---1015 Paolo Ceyrolles 81-84-81--246 Michael Gardner 89-82-82--253 Chris Jackson 81-81-83--245 Aaron Peskett 83-94-103--280 Antonio Deese 98-88-100—286
NAIA Division
1 Talladega College 304-305-301---910 Jonathan Ortiz 74-75-71--220 Daniel Pachon-Vargas 80-78-79--237 Drake Mosely 76-74-75--225 Duke Whatley, Jr. 84-85-76--245 Maram Aaron Macham 74-78-85--237
2 Edward Waters College 321-318-332---971 Kevin Parker 72-67-71--210 Alvin Vicioso 80-80-89--249 Dylan Watts 88-89-88--265 Tyler Johnson 81-83-84--248 Josh Bowman 88-88-94--270
Women’s Team Division T1 Bethune-Cookman 299-293-317---909 Patrizia Trevisan 74-74-79--227 Andrea Orozco 75-69-76--220 Marie Bergelin 74-77-80--231 Estefania Acosta 76-73-82--231 Vanessa Adarme 86-98-83—267
T1 Texas Pan American 309-296-304---909 Blake Peterson 77-75-78--230 Sarah Kothny 75-74-73--222 Marisa Canales 79-72-77--228 Ashley Garcia 84-85-89--258 Elena Arroyo 78-75-76—229
3 Chicago State 318-308-309---935 Jessica Peatross 88-75-77--240 Brooke Melvin 75-76-77--228 Andrea Rosado 75-79-78--232 Lorelle Weavers 84-78-77--239 Vivian Garciaferro 84-79-83—246
4 Delaware State 321-329-318---968 Mengxuan Gai 89-85-76--250 Nicole Rafer 78-79-81--238 Aisha Peete 75-85-77--237 Brooke Foster 79-80-84—243
5 Texas Southern 325-339-328---992 Kassandra Rivera 71-81-81--233 Adriana Trevino 77-83-87--247 Carmen Gonzales 84-83-74--241 Tyler Lawrence 93-92-86--271 Angela Rafac 96-94-97—287
6 Lincoln 344-327-342---1013 Payton Schooler 86-77-90--253 Kaitlyn Schwartze 82-78-77--237 Sophie Pardalos 85-82-88--255 Kara Harwood 91-90-87--268
7 Hampton 338-348-343---1029 Maria Stewart 80-82-81--243 Nicole West 80-84-84--248 Mikea Granberry 86-79-79--244 Crystal Smitherman 92-112-107--311 Milan James 108-103-99—310
8 Texas A&M International 339-358-359---1056 Abigail Palacios 80-90-88--258 Victoria Young 90-88-97--275 Mitzi Cantu 82-87-83--252 Amber Lopez 90-93-93--276 Yesenia Ramirez 87-94-95--276
Men’s Independent Division T1 Robert Grant, Alabama State 71-77-73--221 Justin Watkins, Central Oklahoma 75-79-67--221 Daniel Inocencio, UNLV 73-76-72--221 4 Casey Foster, Central Oklahoma 77-78-72--227 T5 JaMichael Jones, Bethune-Cookman 77-78-73--228 Alden Mark Davis, Southeastern 72-79-77--228 7 Derek Smith, Ferris State 79-74-76--229 8 Josiah Singletary, Methodist 81-77-76--234 9 Corey Price, Alabama State 77-81-79--237 T10 Norman Blanco, Maryland Eastern Shore 81-76-84--241 Omari Howard, Virginia State 83-80-78--241 12 Brencis Stanford, Johnson C. Smith 84-81-77--242 13 William Godfrey, Francis Marion 78-82-83--243 T14 Joseph Killebrew, Alabama State 84-78-82--244 Chris Yoo, Benedict College 85-80-79--244 16 Brandon Howard, Ferris State 80-83-83--246 17 Ian Mmbando, Alabama State 78-86-83--247 18 Kosta Ramirez, Ferris State 86-84-79--249 19 Minsoo Soh, Maryland Eastern Shore 79-81-90--250 20 Rhaulston Jones, Benedict College 86-86-80--252 21 Gavin Parker, Campbell 87-89-81--257 T22 Sean Wilson, Chowan 85-87-87--259 Michael Harden, Clemson 82-94-83--259 T24 Alex Stewart, Livingstone College 80-93-87--260 Patrick Harris, Maryland Eastern Shore 88-87-85--260 T26 Erik Potts, Hannibal-LaGrange 90-81-90--261 Nivel Felicien, Maryland Eastern Shore 90-81-90--261 28 Lawrence McKenzie, Livingstone College 90-97-75--262 29 Johanan Edmeade, Johnson C. Smith 98-84-83--265 30 James Alexander Fernand, Central Oklahoma 96-87-87--270 31 Richard Sheppard, Maryland Eastern Shore 102-91-85--278 32 Sederic Bailey, Maryland Eastern Shore 100-91-96--287 33 Spencer Smith, Edward Waters College 106-97-96--299 34 Richard Fleming, Maryland Eastern Shore 104-97-104--305 35 Ben Davis, Calumet College of Saint 90-88-NC—NC
Women's Independent Division 1 Alexis Belton, Texas Wesleyan 77-72-74--223 2 Samantha Garcia, Texas Pan American 74-77-73--224 3 Cheryl Chua, South Carolina State 71-80-77--228 4 Tiana Jones, South Carolina State 76-78-75--229 5 Cassandra Lesa, Utah Valley 80-78-75--233 6 Cherie Chua, South Carolina State 79-75-83--237 7 Diana Flores, Chicago State 85-75-79--239 T8 Sierra Everson, Akron 81-78-84--243 Whitney Young, Wheeling Jesuit 80-81-82--243 10 Katelyn Snipes-Cohee, Murray State College 79-80-86--245 11 Kalea Heu, Utah Valley 83-83-84--250 T12 Jocelyn Williams, Savannah State 86-82-84--252 Alexandra Uduk, Maryland Eastern Shore 85-80-87--252 14 Michelle Gifford, Savannah State 85-84-85--254
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Alvin Vicioso, Edward Waters College NAIA member, hits a shot out of a bunker during the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.