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May 22, 2009

Complete Results

BLAINE, Wash. - Four rounds were not enough to determine the champions at the NCAA Division II National Men's Golf Championships which concluded Friday at the Loomis Trail Golf Club.

Both the team and individual titles were decided by playoffs, with Sonoma State claiming the team championship over Cal State San Bernardino and Gavin Smith of Indiana, Penn., winning the individual title over Kelbi Lee of Ferris State.

Sonoma State and Cal State San Bernardino each finished with a four-round score of 43-over 1179. Columbus State was third at 46-over 1182, with 2007 champion Barry University fourth in the 20-team field at 47-over 1183.

The Seawolves claimed their first national championship by getting four pars and a bogey in the sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole. Cal State San Bernardino had three pars and two bogeys. It was the second straight year the team championship needed a playoff, as West Florida won a three-way playoff in 2008, the first time the tournament ever had to be decided in extra holes.

"I tried to keep it really simple and told them no matter the outcome, I just wanted them to do their best," said Sonoma State coach Val Verhunce. "That was all I could ask."

Smith, who had finished his round more than four hours before the playoff, drained a birdie putt from 18 feet just after Lee had a putt from a nearly equal distance lip out.

Smith, a junior from Stirling, Scotland, had no idea he'd still be in contention when he finished with a final-round 3-over 74 to put him a 5-over 289.

"I never thought I'd be in a playoff," he said. "We were hanging around because there's an award presentation for the top 10. Then it looked like there might be a playoff, maybe with five people, then four, three, and finally just two.

"(At the start of the week,) I thought maybe top 20. To win it ... I have no words."

Both playoffs emerged out of a dramatic finish by the final group on the final hole.

Gene Webster of Cal State San Bernardino, who held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, came to the final hole with a 1-shot lead. Patrick Bauer of Sonoma State, who was also in the final group, was in a three-way tie for second along with Smith and Lee, who were in the clubhouse. Cal State San Bernardino also entered the hole with a 1-shot lead over its California Collegiate Athletic Association rival.

Bauer reached the green of the par-4 18th in regulation, but Webster put his tee shot in a fairway bunker, then had his second shot hit the edge of the green and kick left into a water hazard. After Bauer put his putt within four feet, Webster's chip went past the hole, and he missed a 10-footer for bogey, knocking him out of the individual playoff and with a double-bogey for the hole.

Bauer then had a chance to give Sonoma State the championship and put himself in the medalist playoff, but his putt went just right of the hole, forcing the team playoff and leaving Smith and Lee in the individual playoff.

Sonoma State's comeback was almost as unlikely as Smith's. The Seawolves entered the final round nine shots off the pace, and were in fourth place in the early stages of the round. Verhunce said he wasn't really aware his team was in contention for the title until after the 12th hole.

Sonoma State was 7-over 291 for the final round, the second-best team score of the day behind the 4-over of Cal State Stanislaus, which finished tied for sixth with Indianapolis at 59-over.

For Smith, his victory was even more surprising because he left his pitching wedge back in Pennsylvania. He ended up borrowing a wedge from Steve Card, head coach at host Western Washington.

"Five birdies in three days with that club," quipped Smith. "Every time I touched that club I got a birdie."

Lee, who moved into contention with a 3-under 68 on Wednesday, was briefly tied for the lead midway through the final round and shot a 1-over 72.

Bauer and Webster finished tied for third at 6-over 290. Bauer had an even-par 71 in the final round, but Webster shot 77, having double bogeys on two of the last three holes after taking a two-shot lead with a birdie at No.14.

The national title earned Smith an automatic berth on the Division II PING All-America first team. He was also named the recipient of the Arnold Palmer Award presented by Callaway to the Division II individual medalist.

Matt Ewald of Washburn had the only hole-in-one of the tournament, using a driver to get an albatross on the par-4, 326-yard 13th hole during Tuesday's opening round.