POWELL'S POINT, N.C. – Gaston Bertinotti won the individual title and Campbell finished fourth on the team leader board following Tuesday's final round of the Old Dominion/OBX Collegiate at Kilmarlic Golf Club.
A sophomore from Cordoba, Argentina, Bertinotti finished the event at 8-under-par 205 (70-67-68) on the par-71, 6535-yard Kilmarlic layout to win by six strokes. Kyle Hart of George Mason, Ryan Cole of James Madison and Ben Warnquist of Maryland tied for second at 2-under-par 211.
"Gaston was in complete control," said John Crooks, who is in his 25th year as head coach of the Camels. "If he had any fear, he never showed it. He went about his business, hit quality golf shots and just lapped the field. He had an amazing golf tournament."
One day after shooting a collegiate career-low 67, Bertinotti birdied the eighth, 11th, 12th and 14th holes then closed with four-straight pars to earn his first win. Over the 54-hole event, the 2014 Big South Conference runner-up made 35 pars, 12 birdies and one eagle. He played the par-4 holes at 1-under (tied for first in the 84-player field), was event on the par-3s (tied for 5th) and 4-under on the par-5s (T6th).
"I concentrated better and was more relaxed," said Bertinotti. "My swing this week was better, so I was more confident. I made a lot of putts and played really solid golf."
After sitting 12th following an opening round 307, Campbell was 2-under as a team over the final 36 holes and closed to fourth place in the team standings (307-281-285—873). James Madison (297-278-283—858) won the team title by four strokes over Hartford (297-281-284—862). Maryland (294-287-288—869) was third, four strokes in front of the Camels. Host Old Dominion finished fifth, one stroke off the Campbell pace and three better than George Mason.
Junior Mikko Lehtovuori opened the final round by holing out from 173 yards for eagle on the par-4 first hole. He finished in a tie for 17th place (77-73-68—218) at 5-over par. Lehtovuori played the par-4 holes at 1-under for the tourney and was 4-under on the par 5s.
Red-shirt freshman Jeremy Nevius tied for 43rd (81-69-75—225) after setting a collegiate career low in the second round. Freshman Carlos Leandro (79-77-74—230) finished 58th and junior Craig Hornberger 69th (81-72-83—236).
Bertinotti's individual title was the first for a Campbell men's golfer since Amanjyot Singh won the Keith Hills Invitational, Apr. 1-2, 2013.
"We were in position today to really make a major move," said Crooks. "We had three golfers under par with three holes to go and two of them managed to get in at 68, and that was impressive. We shot ourselves in the foot on the first day, but just got better and better as the tournament went on."
Campbell closed its fall season with a pair of top-5 team finishes over its last three tournaments. The Camels return to action Feb. 23-24 in the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate at Hilton Head, S.C.
Old Dominion/OBX Collegiate
Kilmarlic GC / Powells Point, N.C.
Oct. 19-21, 2014 / Par 71, 6535 yards
Final Team Leaders: 1. James Madison 297-278-283—858, 2. Hartford 297-281-284—862, 3. Maryland 294-287-288—869, 4. Campbell 307-281-285—873, 5. Old Dominion 295-295-284—874, 6. George Mason 298-282-297—877, 7. Longwood 298-289-291—878, 8. Drake 294-290-298—882, 9. Marshall 297-293-295—885, 10. Delaware 297-288-305—890, 11. Drexel 296-305-292—893, 12. South Dakota 303-301-300—904, 13. Nebraska-Omaha 308-301-296—905, 14. St. Francis (Pa.) 320-298-299—917, 15. Savannah State 318-313-308—939, 16. Maryland-Eastern Shore 326-324-318—968.
Final Individual Leaders: 1. Gaston Bertinotti (Campbell) 70-67-68—205, T2. Kyle Hart (George Mason) 72-70-69—211, T2. Ryan Cole (James Madison) 71-69-71—211, T2. Ben Warnquist (Maryland) 75-69-67—211, 5. Samuel Matthew (South Dakota) 70-69-74—213.
Other Campbell Individuals: T17. Mikko Lehtovuori 77-73-68—218, T43. Jeremy Nevius 81-69-75—225, T58. Carlos Leandro 79-77-74—230, T69. Craig Hornberger 81-72-83—236.
