Statesmen Miss Cut, Finish 20th at First-Ever National Tournament
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Silvis, Ill.–The William Penn men’s golf team could not take advantage of its chances and ended its first-ever nationals appearance a day short as it finished 20th at the NAIA National Championships Thursday.
The Statesmen entered the day above the 17-team cutline, but could not hold off the charge of teams in their rearview. The squad posted a 305 for a final three-round tally of 901 (299-297-305) to place 20th out of 29 teams at the par-71 TPC Deere Run Golf Course.
Oklahoma City shot an eight-under 276 (848 total) to go from third to first with only Friday’s final round left. The Stars are eight strokes ahead of second place Dalton State (Ga.) and Coastal Georgia.
On the individual side, S.M. Lee of Dalton State extended his lead to five at the 54-hole mark as he is now at 203 (69-68-66).
Zachary Chegwidden (So., Essex, England, Business Management) flirted with a red score yet again, carding a one-over 72 Thursday. The sophomore’s efforts have netted him one more round at the Championships as he sits in a tie for 35th at 218 (75-71-72). He is one of just nine individuals not from a top-17 team to make the cut. Chegwidden will begin his day at 8:15 a.m. off of Hole #10.
He moved to one-under early with a birdie on the second hole and then got back to that mark at the turn with another birdie at Hole #8. He unfortunately did not avert disaster in the early holes of the back side (double bogey and a bogey), but regrouped and ended one-under over his last six with a birdie on Hole #13.
Sebastian Rulis (Sr., Helsingor, Denmark, Business Management) placed a beautiful bow on his collegiate career by matching Chegwidden with a one-over 72. The senior was even at the turn (birdie on Hole #4), but like Chegwidden, ran into a trouble at the start of the back nine with a double bogey and a bogey. Fortunately, he also closed exceptionally well with two birdies and five pars.
For the tournament, Rulis tied for 57th through three rounds at 222 (73-76-73), just three shots away from making the cut.
Frederik Lundsgaard (Sr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) was unable to get the motor going Thursday with a 78, ending up at 223 (75-70-78) to tie for 73rd. He did not per se have any bad holes, but also did not record a birdie and suffered five bogeys and a double bogey.
Oscar Florez Martinez (Fr., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) tallied an 83 to match his average for the week. Unfortunately, after a respectable front nine that witnessed seven pars against just two double bogeys, the freshman suffered two triple bogeys on the back. He did produce a birdie on the 17th hole to conclude his week at 249 (85-81-83) and tie for 149th.
Zach Swink (Sr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) also found success on the front at just +3, highlighted by a birdie on the sixth hole, but his back nine was unfortunately marred by three double bogeys and a triple bogey to end the tournament. Still, despite his struggles, few will forget his incredible six birdies in the first round. The senior ended up at 240 (76-80-84) to place 135th.
The tournament ends the collegiate careers of Lundsgaard, Rulis, and Swink.
