Golf

GC's Ratner Wins NCAA D-III Preview

GC's Ratner Wins NCAA D-III Preview
Posted: Sep 28, 2011

Quakers Tie for Second, Eagles 15th in Elite Field

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. --- Guilford College's Noah Ratner earned his first college medalist honor Tuesday at the Gordin Classic-NCAA Division III Preview. Playing the Mission Inn Resort's El Campeon Course, Ratner shot one-under-par 71 to finish with a 54-hole 213, three strokes better than Methodist University's Mike Wesko (74-73-69-216) in the 92-man field.

Wesko carded Tuesday's low individual score (69) to help the Monarchs secure the team title over Illinois Wesleyan University and Guilford, the event's defending champion. Methodist started the day five strokes behind Christopher Newport University, but shot Tuesday's low score (293) to finish at 292-304-293-889. Christopher Newport stumbled to a 313 Tuesday and finished fourth at 904. Oglethorpe University (304-293-308-905) rounded out the top five.

GORDIN CLASSIC-NCAA D-III PREVIEW
September 25-27, 2011
El Campeon Course at Mission Inn Resort
Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Par 72 (variable yardage)
Top Five Teams Scores Total Par
Methodist 292 304 293 889 +25
Guilford 303 298 302 903 +39
Illinois Wesleyan 295 310 298 903 +39
Christopher Newport 297 294 313 904 +40
Oglethorpe 304 293 308 905 +41
           
Top 10 Players Scores Total Par
Noah Ratner, GC 72 70 71 213 -3
Mike Wesko, MU 74 73 69 216 E
Ben Nihart, Gboro 67 76 74 217 +1
Mike Markiewicz, Mil. 74 74 72 220 +4
Andrew Bateman, MU 72 73 76 221 +5
A. Maccaglia, OU 73 70 78 221 +5
Brian Jaeger, CNU 74 70 78 222 +6
Stefan Johnson, IWU 72 77 73 222 +6
Justin Tereshko, TU 73 74 75 222 +6
Mike Duncan, MU 71 78 74 223 +7
Jon. Howard, CNU 73 72 78 223 +7

Full Tournament Results

Named for former Ohio Wesleyan University golf coach Dick Gordin, the 18-team tournament featured most of the top finishers from last year's NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships in Greensboro, as well as other top-ranked teams. The Mission Inn Resort hosts the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships in May.

Ratner started Tuesday's final round with a one-shot edge over Oglethorpe University's Anthony Maccaglia and Greensboro College's Ben Nihart, the tourney's first-round leader. Ratner began his day from the fifth hole and was two-over through 12 holes. The junior drained birdies on the first and second holes to return to even par. He parred his final two holes for his initial collegiate victory in one of the nation's top Division III events.

Guilford freshman Mitch Robinette shot 75 Tuesday to place 16 in his college debut with a 76-77-75-228. Junior J.T. Thomas saved his best round (76) for Tuesday and shared 36 place with teammate Mat Hennickat 232. Senior Dusty Roberts shot 82 Tuesday and finished in a share of 53rd at 78-76-82-236.

Fellow ODAC member Bridgewater College finished 15th (314-309-313--936) in the 18-team field.  Travis Gahman led BC at eight-over par (78-75-71--224), good for a tie for 12th.  John Phillips (74-79-80--233), Tod Foshee (80-77-81--238), Scott Wakely (82-78-81--241) and Mike Reuschling (87-96-92--275) also competed for the Eagles.

The Guilford College sports information department contributed to this release.