Newberry Observer

Newberry second, three individuals in top 10 at D2 National Preview

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. — Spencer Skiff, Carlos Leandro and Ben Thompson each finished inside the top 10 at the Division II National Preview as the Wolves finished second at the course that will host the 2018 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships.

Skiff was part of a tie for sixth place at three strokes over par, one shot ahead of Leandro and Thompson. Skiff and Leandro finished in the top 10 for the sixth time in Newberry’s eight tournament this season, while Thompson claimed his second top-10 finish.

Leandro led Newberry on the day with an even-par 72 that was punctuated by a team-best four birdies. He rebounded expertly to finish at four over for the tournament, fighting back for the top-10 result after being seven strokes over par through the first 12 holes in the first round. He led all competitors with 13 birdies during the tournament.

Harry Bolton landed in a tie for 28th at 11 strokes over par. Rob Cull was 25 over in a tie for 74th.

Limestone prevented Newberry from extending its school record for number of tournament wins in a season. The eighth-ranked Saints came from behind to overtake Newberry with a final-round 289, tied with Newberry’s second-round effort for the best 18 holes of the tournament.

The Fighting Joe Course, located on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals, was the tournament’s host. It will also be home to this year’s Division II national championship tournament in May. Newberry finished sixth on this course last season at the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional to advance to the national championship, where the Wolves went on to finish fifth.

Skiff
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Skiff-1.jpgSkiff
Thompson
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Thompson.jpgThompson
Leandro
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Leandro.jpgLeandro

Staff Report