Western Carolina Men’s Golf Concludes Hootie at Bulls Bay in 15th Place
Awendaw, S.C. – The journey for the Western Carolina Men’s Golf team at The Hootie at Bulls Bay concluded on a mild Tuesday afternoon. Despite their best efforts, the Catamounts maintained their standing from day two, finishing the prestigious three-day, 54-hole event in 15th place at the par-72, 7,282-yard Bulls Bay Golf Club.
A Look at the Standout Performers
Leading the charge for the Catamounts was junior Ivan Ninkovic, who showcased his skill and resilience by finishing in a tie for 46th overall with a three-day tally of even-par 216. Ninkovic’s final round saw him card a 1-over par 73, adding two more birdies to his tournament total, which now stands at an impressive 11 birdies. This unfaltering performance kept him in contention throughout the tournament and underscored his potential as a key player moving forward.
Freshman Chase Cline was not far behind, tying for 50th place with a score of 217, which included a final-round score of 2-over par 74. Cline’s remarkable consistency shined through as he managed three birdies in each round, showcasing his determination and growth as a rookie on the golf circuit.
Sophomore Jace Butcher caught eyes on the final day, recording a team-best score of even-par 72, comprising four birdies and finishing the tournament tied for 64th with a total score of 4-over par 220. His strong performance on the last round helped him gain a couple of positions on the leaderboard.
Overall Team Performance and Insights
Rounding out WCU’s scoring five, Callum Waugh secured a tie for 75th at 223, and Michael Bevins put together an admirable performance, finishing with a three-day total of 236. Bevins delivered his best round of the tournament with a 2-over par 74, showing grit as he navigated through challenges, including two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Team Leaderboard Highlights
At the top of the leaderboard, co-host No. 18 South Carolina made a thrilling comeback to tie with second-round leader No. 39 Purdue, both claiming scores of 834. However, the Boilermakers took the tiebreaker, securing the event victory. In close pursuit, Furman claimed third place with a total of 837, while the co-host College of Charleston slid to fourth with a total of 838.
Tying for fifth, both Missouri and No. 48 New Mexico ended up with scores of 843, while New Mexico remarkably climbed four spots with the best round of the day. Individually, Kieron Van Wyk, ranked 16th in the latest Clippd rankings, surged ahead to claim medalist honors, finishing two strokes clear of South Carolina’s Frankie Harris.
What’s Next for the Catamounts?
As the Catamounts reflect on their performance at Bulls Bay, they look ahead to their next competition, the Rutherford Intercollegiate, set for April 12-13 in State College, Pa. This pivotal two-day event, consisting of 36 holes, offers another opportunity for WCU to sharpen their skills and improve their standings as they gear up for the closing stretch of the season.
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Final Results Summary
- 15th Place – Western Carolina: 288 – 293 – 293 = 874 (+10)
- T46 – Ivan Ninkovic: 72-71-73 = 216 (E)
- T50 – Chase Cline: 71-72-74 = 217 (+1)
- T64 – Jace Butcher: 71-77-72 = 220 (+4)
- T75 – Callum Waugh: 74-73-76 = 223 (+7)
- 83 – Michael Bevins: 81-81-74 = 236 (+20)
For more detailed results, check out the official Hootie at Bulls Bay Final Results (PDF) or the HTML version.
As the Catamounts gear up for their next challenge, fans will undoubtedly be cheering them on as they strive for greatness in the coming tournaments. Let’s watch and see how they bounce back in Pennsylvania!
