Flyers Defeat Georgia Military in Ryder Cup Style Match
Two college golf teams that ended up being separated by one stroke after 72 holes at the 2019 NJCAA Division III Men's golf championship teed it up this week at Pinewild Country Club in the "Battle of the Pines".
Seeking its second national title in June of 2019, Sandhills Community College was edged out by Georgia Military College after leading by 11 strokes going into the final round at Lake Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, NY.
Last season's tournament was canceled because of the pandemic, but earlier this year Flyers' Coach Gus Ulrich and Bulldogs' Coach Chuck Van Horn came up with the idea of playing each other using a Ryder Cup format.
The Flyers prevailed 11 ½ to ½ in four ball play at the Holly Course on Wednesday. The Bulldogs held a 13 to 11 edge in match play on Thursday at the Magnolia Course. That all added up to a 22 ½ to 13 ½ victory for the Flyers.
"We made a really good showing yesterday and today was okay," Ulrich said. "I got a chance to see everybody play. I like what I'm seeing. We're definitely making some progress.
"The weather was great and we played two different golf courses with a format which is different than normal stroke play. It was a great way to have a fun competition and play a team were going to compete against at nationals in early June.
"Playing well and winning this match was huge for us – especially for Nick Agapion."
Agapion and Austin Quillian of the Bulldogs both played in the 2019 tournament. Both took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NJCAA because of the cancellation of the 2020 tournament.
"Two years ago was such a heartbreaking loss," Agapion, a product of Gaffney High School (SC) said. "Then Covid came around and we didn't get to compete last year. That was definitely a part of my decision to come back for another year.
"This was a really fun format, not one you get to play very often. Getting to see how we stack up against them is good for us. I look forward to seeing them again at nationals."
Thursday's final match was not settled until the 18th hole when Quillian barely missed a 15-foot putt that gave the Flyers' Andreas Huber a full point for the back nine.
This was Quillian's first visit to Pinehurst. He talked about what made the 2019 national tournament extra special for him.
"The coolest part for me was that it was my first college tournament ever," he said. "Someone on the team got sick in the conference tournament and I ended up being able to slide in as the fifth man. Luckily I was able to put together three good rounds and help us out.
"These guys play some good golf and it was good to compete against them. We're looking forward to the national championships."
The twosomes for the Flyers on both days were made up of Agapion and Huber, Adam Hathaway and Carson Witherspoon, Dakota Oman and Andrew Crawford, and Noah Maness and David Langley. All contributed points to the victory.
In early March at Quail Ridge Country Club in Sanford, Georgia Military finished first, and the Flyers were third, at the Central Carolina CC Cougar Classic.
This week's tournament also marked the first trip to Pinehurst for Coach Van Horn. On Thursday morning, his team warmed up by playing the par three course at The Pinehurst Resort.
"It's a golf haven here and the kids absolutely love it," he said.
Georgia Military also won a national title in 2017. In addition to its 2014 national championship, the Flyers were runner-ups in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
"Sandhills has a nice team," Van Horn said. "I'm glad we're up here. It wakes our kids up that they'll have to come with their "A" game plus to win a national championship again."
Next for the Flyers is the Region 10 tournament on Monday at Hyland Golf Club and on Tuesday at Quail Ridge. The national tournament will again take place in Chautauqua, NY on June 7-11.
C. Bergmann