EMCC men's golf team places fifth at weather-shortened MACJC event held at Meridian's Northwood Country Club

MERIDIAN – The East Mississippi Community College men's golf team finished fifth at this week's weather-shortened MACJC tournament hosted by Meridian Community College.  Reduced from 36 holes to 27 because of the cold weather, the Lou Hart Invitational was played Monday and Tuesday at Northwood Country Club.

The host MCC Eagles rallied from a two-stroke deficit after Monday's opening round to knock off six-time reigning NJCAA Region 23 Champion Mississippi Gulf Coast by four strokes (463-467).  Northwest Mississippi and Jones County tied for third-place team honors with two-day scores of 468.

Following a first-round 330, head coach Dale Peay's EMCC Lions moved up a notch in the team standings after carding a 152 on the front nine of the weather-shortened final round.  Tuesday's 152 by East Mississippi tied for the third-best round of the day.

Individually, Northwest Mississippi's Hayes Carr (75-35—110) claimed medalist honors with a three-stroke victory over Chase Taylor of host Meridian (76-37—113).

For East Mississippi, freshman W.D. Newlin, a product of Bruce High School, tied for the fifth-best individual score of Tuesday's shortened round with a 36 to finish in a five-way tie for 13^th place at 118 (82-36).  Lion teammates Hunter Harmon (80-40—120) and Chase Smith (81-39—120) were among four golfers to tie for 20^th place.

Freshman Steven Eilders (87-37—124) tied for 35^th, while sophomore John Pittman (86-42—128), competing as an individual, and freshman Trent Humber (87-44—131) rounded out EMCC's scorecard at 47^th and 52^nd place, respectively.      

The MACJC's fourth spring golf tournament, set to be hosted by Northwest Mississippi, is slated to take place jointly at North Creek Golf Club, March 31 in Southaven, and at Wedgewood Golf Club, April 1 in Olive Branch.