Panthers finish spring schedule at Emory Invitational
April 11, 2007

The LaGrange College golf team battled the cold, wind, and even a little snow during a golf tournament that wrapped up on Monday in Stone Mountain.

The Panthers posted rounds of 313 and 314 to finish 11th in the Emory Invitational at Smoke Rise Golf and Country Club.

"It was tight, windy and cold," LaGrange College coach Lee Richter said. "It was really tough. The scoring average for the two days was around 78, and only five scores under par were recorded.

"I¹ve been doing this for 14 years, and that¹s the highest scoring average I¹ve ever seen at a tournament," Richter said.

The Panthers were led by Ryan Willis, who had rounds of 75 and 79.

Alex Eloriagga had scores of 79 both days, while Bo Tiller followed up his first-round 80 with a 78.

Anthony Yacovazzi posted rounds of 79 and 83, while Freddie Uribe rebounded from a 90 in the opening round to shoot a 78 on Monday.

Methodist University took first-place honors in the tournament with scores of 297 and 291, while Guilford College was four strokes back in second.

Oglethorpe, Emory and Huntingdon completed the top five.

The Emory tournament put the wraps on a successful spring season for the Panthers, and Richter believes the team has done enough to qualify for the NCAA Division III national tournament in May.

The Panthers played in the national tournament in 2004, but they didn¹t make it the past two years despite a top-10 ranking in the Division III national poll.

The NCAA tournament field has grown from 23 to 35 teams this year, though, which will strengthen the Panthers¹ chances.

Courtesy of LaGrange Daily News