University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Walker Kesteron, Brice Wilkinson Enjoy Solid Weekends
6/24/2019 10:15:00 AM | Men's Golf
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – It proved to be a good weekend for Southern Miss men's golfers Walker Kesterson (Hartsburg, Mo.) and Brice Wilkinson (Madison, Miss.).
Kesterson, a rising senior for the Golden Eagles, captured the 112th Missouri Amateur Championship, while Wilkinson, an incoming junior from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community college via Madison Central High School, finished second in the Mississippi Amateur Championship.
Kesterson bested two-time defending winner Brad Nurski with a chip-in birdie in the match play final on the 18th hole to win his first Missouri Amateur Championship at Hickory Hills in Springfield. The final match was shortened from 36 to 18 holes, Sunday, as early rains in the day forced a later start to the final match.
"It's amazing to win this thing," said Kesterson. "I've been playing in it for years now. You kind of get to the round of eight, get to the round of four and it's like maybe. But to stand here after winning it is incredible."
Wilkinson captured his second-place showing at the Mississippi State Amateur on what will be his new course in the fall, the Hattiesburg Country Club.
Playing as a par 71, Wilkinson collected a 10-under 274 over the 72 hole event which ran from June 20-23. His round totals included a 68, 72, 65 and 69, finished three strokes behind Joseph Deraney of Belden.
Former Golden Eagle Joel Myrick finished tied for seventh with a three-under 281, while current Golden Eagle coach Eddie Brecher posted an even-par, four-round score of 284 to place 10th overall.
Kesterson, a rising senior for the Golden Eagles, captured the 112th Missouri Amateur Championship, while Wilkinson, an incoming junior from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community college via Madison Central High School, finished second in the Mississippi Amateur Championship.
Kesterson bested two-time defending winner Brad Nurski with a chip-in birdie in the match play final on the 18th hole to win his first Missouri Amateur Championship at Hickory Hills in Springfield. The final match was shortened from 36 to 18 holes, Sunday, as early rains in the day forced a later start to the final match.
"It's amazing to win this thing," said Kesterson. "I've been playing in it for years now. You kind of get to the round of eight, get to the round of four and it's like maybe. But to stand here after winning it is incredible."
Wilkinson captured his second-place showing at the Mississippi State Amateur on what will be his new course in the fall, the Hattiesburg Country Club.
Playing as a par 71, Wilkinson collected a 10-under 274 over the 72 hole event which ran from June 20-23. His round totals included a 68, 72, 65 and 69, finished three strokes behind Joseph Deraney of Belden.
Former Golden Eagle Joel Myrick finished tied for seventh with a three-under 281, while current Golden Eagle coach Eddie Brecher posted an even-par, four-round score of 284 to place 10th overall.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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