East Mississippi concludes regular-season golf slate with sixth-place finish at Briarwood in Meridian

MERIDIAN – The East Mississippi Community College men's golf team closed out regular-season competition with a sixth-place finish at this week's MACJC tournament played at Briarwood Country Club.

Pairing Tuesday's 315 team score with Monday's opening-round 303, the Lions' composite 618 total placed them just six shots out of third place.  Copiah-Lincoln (288-296—584) bested host Meridian (295-289—584) on the first playoff hole to claim the team title.  Northwest Mississippi (307-305—612) finished third ahead of East Central (302-312—614) and Mississippi Gulf Coast (310-305—615).

Meridian's Grant Renegar (69-72—141) maintained his opening-round lead to claim individual medalist honors with a 3-shot victory over teammate Lance Strickland (73-71—144) and the Co-Lin tandem of Joseph Dendy (70-74—144) and Philip Heine (73-71-144).      

Freshman Cason Collins tied for 18^th place with a two-day score of 153 (75-78) to lead East Mississippi.  EMCC's lone sophomore, Daniel Schroeder (78-76—154), and Kent Vaughn (78-78—156) finished in 20^th and 26^th place, respectively.

Highlighted by an even-par 72 on Monday, EMCC freshman Trae Reeves (158) tied with teammate Michael McGill (81-77), who competed as an individual, and two others for 32^nd place.  Alex Benge rounded out the Lions' scorecard tied for 43^rd place at 163 (80-83).           

Coach Benji Williams' East Mississippi Lions will compete this weekend (April 16-17) in the MACJC State Championship. Hosted by Northeast Mississippi Community College, the two-day tournament will be played Saturday and Sunday at Shiloh Ridge in Corinth.