Wake Forest University
VCU Shootout
Men's Golf Wins VCU Shootout By 16 Shots
9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 30, 2008
MANAKIN SABOT, Va. - Wake Forest carded a 1-under 283 in the final round of the VCU Shootout on Tuesday to win the tournament by an astonishing 16 shots. Junior Brendan Gielow followed his career-low 64 yesterday with a 2-under 69 today to earn co-medalist honors.
Wake and host VCU where the only two teams to break par in all three rounds. The win for the Deacs was the first this season and the first since winning the NCAA Central Regional last May.
The Deacons fired rounds of 273-269-283 for a three-round total of 825 which is tied for the lowest 54-hole score in school history. The 27-under par total is the third lowest score in relation to par in school history.
"This was a very good team win," said head coach Jerry Haas. "The guys took responsibility for not playing the well the last couple of weeks and I think this shows how mature and determined this team is."
One day after carding a career-low 64, Gielow responded with three birdies and just one bogie for a to share medalist honors with Wichita State's Dustin Garza at 12-under par. Both players came into the final round tied at 10-under.
Gielow finished the weekend with a total of 15 birdies and one eagle for his first collegiate win.
"This was a good win for Brendan," said Haas. It was his first collegiate victory and hopefully he turns it into a few more."
Senior Dustin Groves also had great weekend, making a total of 16 birdies over the 54 holes. Groves also carded a career-low 65 in the second round, helping the Deacs to a school record 269 yesterday.
In his first 13 holes on today, Groves had made two bogies and just one birdie but three straight birdies on holes 3, 4, and 5 gave him his third-straight under-par round of 69. He would finish tied for 3rd at 11-under par, just one behind Gielow.
Despite carding a 1-over 72 in the final round, freshman Lee Bedford posted his best tournament finish so far, finishing in 8th place at 4-under par, 209. The Cary, N.C., native made a total of 12 birdies on the weekend, including six in his opening round 67.
Bedford has really had a nice start to his career as all nine of his rounds this season have counted towards the team score.
Junior Travis Wadkins posted a pair of 1-under par 70s in his first two rounds and after carding a 77 today, the Dallas, Texas, native finished tied for 37th.
Sophomore Justin Bryant rebounded after a tough day one to post a 2-over 73 in the final round. It was Bryant's first tournament of the year and he showed good poise to come back with a decent round today.
"Justin is a very good player and it was good to see him play better today and it turned out that his round counted," Haas said.
Redshirt junior Marc Gladson played as an individual this weekend and finished tied for 59th after a final round 74.
Augusta State carded the low round of the day, a 9-under 275 to finish tied for second with host VCU. ACC foes Virginia (4th) and Virginia Tech (6th) also finished the tournament under par at 6-under and 2-under, respectively.
Wake also played well last season at the VCU Shootout, finishing fourth after a final round 274, which was 14-under. The course played to a par-71 this year because the par-4 18th hole was converted to a par-three due to turf maintenance.
"These guys went out there and really won this tournament yesterday," said Haas. "Getting off to a great start like that is great but sometimes having that big of a lead can make the final round even tougher. On top of that, I think the course played a little tougher today and to go out and post another under par round just shows how mentally tough these guys are."
"We have a nice little break now to enjoy it before we get right back at and I know these guys are expecting more of the same," Haas continued.
The Deacons will be back in action on Oct. 11-13 at the Brickyard Collegiate in Macon, Ga.
Players Mentioned
