Team School Scoring Records Fall with Second Place Showing at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate

Monday, September 9

Hattiesburg, Miss.

All Day

Southern Miss

Sam Hall Intercollegiate

Team School Scoring Records Fall with Second Place Showing at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate

9/10/2019 6:09:00 PM | Men's Golf

Team Final Standings Players Final Standings Combo Final Photo Gallery Day 2

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss collected school-record low team totals for a round, as well as 36 and 54 holes, to finish tied for second at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate, Tuesday, at the par-71, 6,902-yard Hattiesburg Country Club.

Sam Houston State shot a Sam Hall Intercollegiate tournament-record 819 to finish 33-under-par in winning the 17th annual event. Bearkat golfer Noah Steele shooting rounds of 65-63-67 to finish with a 195 and the individualist medal honors. He defeated teammate William Holcomb (68-68-64) by five strokes, who ended his tournament with a 200.

Due to rain Monday afternoon, much of the second round and all of the final circuit were played on Tuesday.

The Golden Eagles shot a school-record low 272 over the final round, after firing a school-record best 557 for the first two rounds, as well as establishing a 54-hole mark of 829. Southern Miss' total, which was 23-under-par, tied them with Troy in the team standings.

"I was very impressed with the way our guys played this week," said Southern Miss golf coach Eddie Brescher. "If you would have told me starting the week that we would shoot 23-under, break all three team scoring records, and not win this event, I would say you were crazy.

"Hats off to Sam Houston, though, who played some incredible golf over the last two days. Every time we made a birdie, they seem to make one right on top of it."

A strong final day from both senior Walker Kesterson (Hartsburg, Mo.) and junior Brice Wilkinson (Madison, Miss.) allowed each player to tie for fifth in the final individual standings with a 206 score. Kesterson fired a 71 and a 65 to end his tournament, while Wilkinson added a 65 and a 68.

Senior Matt Lorenz (Gulf Shores, Ala.) added a 68 and 70 over his final two rounds to finish with a 209 and a 12th-place tie. Lorenz was one stroke ahead of teammate, freshman Robbie Latter (Missassauga, Ontario), who collected rounds of 71 and 70 to end with a 210 to tie for 14th place. Freshman Thongpipat Rattanayanon (Bangkok, Thailand) shot a 72 and 69 to end with a 213 and a 23rd-place tie.

Junior Hunter Atkins (West Point, Miss.) led all players who played as individuals only with a 73 and 70 over the final 36 holes to finish with a 210 and a 14th-place tie. Junior Brian Richards (Gulf Breeze, Fla.) posted rounds of 72 and 73 to end his event tied for 45th-place.

Sophomore Joey Kirkland (West Monroe, La.) added a 72 and a 77 for a 224 and a 60th-place tie, while senior Willie Hammond (Southlake, Texas) added a 74 and a 76 for a 227 and a 74th-place tie and sophomore Charles-Eric Belanger (Quebec City, Quebec) ended with a 83 and 88 for a 252 score and in 88th place.

"The future is bright for our program," said Brescher. "Our depth of talent is incredible and we cannot wait to get to UAB in a couple of weeks to complete."

The Golden Eagles return to action, Sept. 23-24, at the GMAC-UAB Invitational, which will take place at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham, Ala.