Wake Forest University
ACC Championship (Old North State Club)
Webb Simpson Wins ACC Championship, Deacs Finish Fifth
4/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 20, 2008
Webb Simpson won individual honors and set a new championship record after posting a three-day total of 202 (-14) at the ACC Championship at Old North State Club in Uwharrie Point, N.C.
Simpson shot a six-under 66, his lowest round of the season in a team event and the fourth-lowest of the season for the Deacs as the senior beat second-place Chase MacFarland of North Carolina by five strokes.
"I'm really happy for Webb. That was an excellent, excellent win," Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas said. "He's a wonderful senior leader. We're going to miss him a lot."
Simpson, a Ben Hogan Award semifinalist, shot 68-68-66 on the weekend. His final round was the lowest round for any Demon Deacon in the ACC Championship.
The previous ACC Championship record was a 203 by Clemson's John Engler in 2001.
Simpson carded six birdies and 12 pars on the day to win the first individual medal at the ACC Championship for Wake since Sean Moore won honors in 2004.
Wake finished the tournament with an 848 (-16) for its best score to par and its second lowest 54-hole total on the season. The total score for the Deacs was their third lowest at the ACC Championship since the tournament went to a four-man scorecard in 1980.
The Deacs finished fifth as a team and posted a five-under 283 in the final round. The round was the fifth lowest 18-hole score for Wake on the season.
Inclement weather forced a two-and-a-half hour delay Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"We shot 16-under and the winner was 23-under. After the delay, I said if everyone can make three birdies, we can have a chance to win," Haas said. "It's a tough conference.
Brendan Gielow finished tied for 13th after carding a three-under 69 Sunday. The sophomore entered the final round tied for 20th and shot 212 (-4) for the tournament. Gielow's 69 was his lowest round since he posted the same score in the final round of the SunTrust Gator Invitational in February.
Chris McCartin recorded a two-over 74 to finish tied for 24th place. The senior shot an even par 216 for the three rounds on the par-72, 7,102-yard Old North State Club Championship Course.
Travis Wadkins posted a two-over 74 Sunday to rise one spot in the final round and finish tied for 29th. The sophomore was participating in his first career conference championship and carded a two-over 218 for the event.
Dustin Groves finished in 54th place after posting a nine-over 81 in the final round. The junior carded a 238 (+22) for the three day event.
Florida State claimed its first ACC Championship Sunday with a three-stroke win over Duke. Three Seminoles finished in the top 10, led by Jonas Blixt and Matthew Savage who tied for third at eight under (208).
Wake will begin to prepare for the NCAA Regionals and will find out where they will be headed in early May.
Players Mentioned
