Gorloks Come From Behind for SLIAC Title
For just the fourth time in conference history, a team came from behind on the final day of the men's golf championship to win the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title. Webster University grabbed ahold of its 6th consecutive title after carding the lowest final-round score in tournament history, a 281. The Gorloks trailed by three strokes entering the final round but came out attacking the course on Tuesday. The Gorloks recorded 12 birdies as a team in the players' first nine holes of the day with each of the five players recording at least two birdies. The Gorloks finished the day with 20 birdies and two eagles on the day as their team score of 281 was the second lowest overall tournament round, only to a 278 recorded by Spalding in the first round of the 2013 tournament.
It was Jan Wdowka and Justin McCoy leading the way for the Gorloks, with each picking up three birdies in the front nine. Wdowka put together historic rounds on the final two days, carding back-to-back 68s. After shooting a 76 in the opening round Wdowka was tied for 9th place, five strokes off the lead. However, his second-round 68 put him in striking distance and just two shots back at the start of the day. Wdokwa tallied three birdies on his first nine holes and made his move near the turn to take the lead. He birdied 9 and 10 to take the lead and held steady with three straight pars before another birdie on 15. Two more pars set him up for a walk down 18 with a comfortable lead. But Wdowka didn't just play it safe, ripping his drive nearly 400 yards down the middle. His approach shot dropped the ball within five feet of the pin, setting up an eagle putt that closed his round. His final score of 212 is tied for the second-lowest in tournament history, one off the record.
Wdowka becomes the first player in conference history to record back-to-back 68s in the tournament and it tied the conference record for tournament low round; for about ten minutes. His teammate Justin McCoy, the day one leader, closed out the tournament with a SLIAC tournament record round of 66 after also carding an eagle on 18. McCoy had six birdies and an eagle in his final round, breaking the previous record low round of 68 which was originally set by Kyler Scott in 2012.
This marks just the fourth time in SLIAC history, and the first since 2014, a team won the tournament after trailing at the start of the final round. Webster's three-round score of 875 is the third lowest in tournament history. Wdowka becomes the 9th player to take home both the SLIAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards in the same season and was named First Team All-Conference as was McCoy. Joining them as All-Conference honorees were teammates Austen Velazquez, Trent Garrett, and Joshua Hayes while Brad Smith was named the SLIAC Coach of the Year. The Gorloks earn the league's automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division III National Tournament which will be held May 16-19 at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky.
Spalding University finished 2nd this year with a 900 including a low round of 290 on the second day. Nolan Keeler paced the Golden Eagles with a 216, shooting exactly par on all three rounds to finish 3rd. Kendall Hale closes out his career in Blue and Gold with a 218, finishing 4th individually and picking up First Team All-Conference honors for the third time in his career. Keeler was also named First Team All-Conference.
Finishing 3rd as a team was Lake Forest College with a 901. The Forresters closed out the tournament with their best score, a 297, and had four golfers earn All-Conference honors: Chris Petri, Max Golding, James Johnson, and Jack Dwyer. Petri led the team with a 221, finishing 5th individually.
Knox College moved up one spot on the day, placing 4th at the championships with a 922 team score. Brendan Wise led the way, tying for 14th place with a 230 and earning Second Team All-Conference honors for the second time in his career.
Illinois College finished 5th with a 923. They had a low round of 299, the lowest around in the SLIAC Championship in program history. Cole Bartels earned First Team All-Conference honors by tying for 7th with a 225.
Coming in 6th place was Grinnell College with a 928. The Pioneers had rounds of 307 on the opening day and 208 on the final day but were unable to overcome their second-round score of 313. Hayden Somach was one of two All-Conference players, finishing tied for 9th with a 228. Eshaan Sethi tied for 14th with a 230 to also pick up honors. They are the first Pioneers to earn SLIAC All-Conference honors in program history.
Fontbonne University carded a 938, finishing in 7th. They had a low round of 308 on the final day and were led by Cody McKinney and Lake Deppe. Both Griffins carded a 230, tying for 14th place and earning Second Team All-Conference honors for the first time in their careers.
Monmouth College finished 8th with a 962. Briggs Bossert led the way with a 237, tying for 25th place. Blackburn College was 9th with a 1016 as Bryce Wrightsman was the highest placing Beaver, tying for 35th with a 242. Westminster College came in 10th with a 1033 with Cole Lehman leading the way with a 244. Eureka College finished 11th with an 1167 and was led by Tyler Platz with a 265.
Spalding University received the Team Sportsmanship award as voted on by league coaches. In addition, each team had one representative chosen for the All-Sportsmanship team.
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