GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's golf team put together an outstanding performance as a team on Monday and Tuesday as the Captains tied for fourth at the season-opening Gate City Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. Playing a field of 17 teams, including 14 teams ranked in the Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coach's Poll, the Captains got solid play from all five golfers and wrapped up a 14-over par 866 (287-291-288) in the 54-hole tournament.
The talented field included eight of the top-12 teams in the national rankings with each of the top four teams playing at the Gate City Invitational. No. 24 Guilford captured the team and individual win, with Michael Vick (-9) earning medalist honors and leading the Quakers to an Even par 852 (283-287-282). CNU matched No. 11 Piedmont in the two-day, three-round event while Methodist and Emory finished ahead in the second and third place spots, respectively.
Over three rounds of play, the Captains were one of six teams that did not record a single round 80 or higher between the 15 total scorecards signed by the starting five. Three CNU players finished with scores of par or better, including the team's best showing on Tuesday from sophomore
Jack Gessaman with an Even par 71.
CNU fired a 288 in the third round, led by Gessaman and matching 72's from
Alex Price and
Owen Cook.
Austin Smith rounded out the scoring with a two-over 73, giving CNU a four-over finishing round. Price and Cook were the other two players with rounds at par or better as each recorded rounds of 69 on the first day to lead the way for CNU.
As an individual, Price wrapped up his first top-ten showing of the season and the 11th of his career. He opened his fourth year with an Even par 213 (72-69-72) and tied for eight on the individual leaderboard. In Tuesday's final round, Price birdied two of his first five holes and also finished strong with three birdies in his final five holes as well. The Hillsboro, Va. native finished tied for third in the talented 90-player field with 12 total birdies over three rounds of play.
Owen Cook (+5) tied for 22nd and notched his career-low scoring mark with the two-under 69 in the opening round. He followed up a 77 in the second round with a one-over 72 in Tuesday's final round to finish with a 218, besting his previous 54-hole personal best by 13 strokes in relation to par.
Senior
Robb Kinder (+6) was just one stroke back of his sophomore teammate and tied for 27th. One back of him was rookie
Austin Smith (+7), after signing for a 220 (74-73-73) and tying for 32nd. Finally, Gessaman finished in 226 strokes (78-77-71) to finished tied for 55th overall.
Over the 54-hole event, Kinder, Price, and Gessman led the way on Par 5's with a 4.56 average (-4). Cook was excellent on the short holes, tied for the sixth lowest average in the event with a 2.92 (-1). Smith was two-under on Par 5's and Even on the Par 3's. Kinder, Price, and Smith each tied for the team lead with 33 total pars, while Cook recorded 32.
Next up for the No. 9 Captains is the NCAA Division III Championship Preview in Lexington, Ky. from October 2-4. The tournament will be held at the Keene Trace Golf Club with live scoring available at Golfstat.com.
