AIKEN, S.C. – South Carolina rolled to its second straight Palmetto Intercollegiate title on Tuesday with a 10-shot win. The Gamecocks turned in a 5-over 285, which tied with the Paladins for a field-best final round score, on another difficult scoring day at historic Palmetto Golf Club.
Carolina continued its clutch golf on the back nine as its four counting scores shot 4-under. The Gamecocks four counters each round were a combined 15-under on the back nine of the coure over the 54-hole tournament.
“Really proud of how this team came together this week,” said head coach Bill McDonald. “We battled throughout the tournament and hopefully this experience will help us going forward for the spring. Nathan (Franks) had a great chance to win and Rafe (Reynolds) had another really good showing. I’m happy for these guys to see their hard work paying off and we’re looking forward to The Hackler next week.”
Sophomore Nathan Franks shot an even par 70 as he T-2nd and earned a career-best, runner-up medalist finish. He was bogey free on the back nine with one birdie and also made an eagle at the par-4 first hole. Junior Rafe Reynolds finished sixth at 2-under posting a final round 71 (+1). He made the turn at 4-over but turned in a 3-under 33 on the back nine with birdies on four of his first six holes on the final nine.
Fifth-year senior Evans Lewis and transfer Lansdon Robbins each shot 72 (+2) today as they finished T-13th at 2-over for the tournament. Freshman Zach Adams finished 59th with a final round 77 (+7) today. He was bogey free on the back nine with a birdie but was hurt by a pair of triple bogeys at holes one and three.
The victory is the 28th all-time for McDonald at South Carolina. It marks the team’s fifth Palmetto Intercollegiate title under his direction (2015, 2016, 2019, 2022 & 2023) and the sixth for the program all-time.
The Gamecocks were the only team under par this week at Palmetto Golf Club. Carolina led the field in par-4 scoring average (4.11, +20) and par-5 scoring average (4.43, -17). The Gamecocks also led the field with 53 birdies.
2023 Palmetto Intercollegiate Gamecock Leaderboard
T2. Nathan Franks – 206 (-4)
6. Rafe Reynolds – 208 (-2)
T13. Lansdon Robbins – 212 (E)
T13. Evans Lewis – 212 (E)
59. Zach Adams – 227 (+17)
2023 Palmetto Intercollegiate R2 Leaderboard
1. South Carolina – 838 (-2)
2. Furman – 848 (+8)
3. Wisconsin – 849 (+9)
4. Davidson – 853 (+13)
5. Virginia Tech – 855…
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