MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – For the third time this season, first-year Ben James won or shared medalist honors at a tournament. James tied for first place at the General Hackler Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. as No. 16 UVA placed second in the 14-team field.
East Tennessee State’s Mats Ege matched James on top of the leaderboard with a score of 13-under 203. ETSU won the team title at 24-under 840 while the Hoos were the runners-up at 18-under 846. Virginia shot 4-over 292 during Tuesday’s final round.
James becomes the first Cavalier to place first in three tournaments in the same season since Ben Kohles in 2009-10. Jimmy Flippen also accomplished the feat in 1991-92.
James opened his collegiate career with a win at the Streamsong Invitational and then finished first at the Hamptons Intercollegiate. Both of those tournaments were held last fall.
In seven tournaments, this season James has placed in the top four a total of six times. He entered the Hackler Championship ranked No. 16 in the Golfstat individual rankings. James has produced under-par scores during 16 of 21 rounds this season. He had rounds of 68, 65 and 70 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club at the Hackler Championship.
James’ first-year teammate Bryan Lee, and junior George Duangmanee, tied for 20th place for UVA at 1-under 215. Duangamee shot 74 during the final round while Lee posted a score of 77. Deven Patel, a sophomore, was 31st at 217 while junior Chris Fosdick was 39th at 219. Patel posted a final-round score of 75 while Fosdick shot 73.
Jason Leasure, competing as an individual, shot 77 in the final round to place 45th at 4-over 220.
UVA is back in action this weekend when the Cavaliers compete at the Linger Longer Invitational in Greensboro, Ga. on March 19-21.
General Hackler Championship
Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Par 72, 7,233 yards
Final Results
Team Results
1. East Tennessee State 274-282-284-840
2. Virginia 279-275-292-846
3. Auburn 280-285-284-849
4. Louisville 279-282-289-850
4. Kent State 290-273-286-850
6. NC State 292-275-288-855
7. Liberty 290-275-291-856
8. Duke 287-283-290-863
9. South Carolina 292-282-295-869
10. Furman 290-283-298-870
11. East Carolina 287-295-300-882
12. Coastal…
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