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PAWLEY'S ISLAND, S.C. – For the fifth time in six years, Campbell University has won the season-opening Golfweek Program Challenge combined men's and women's golf title.
The 54-hole event, which includes a women's stroke play tournament at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and a men's tourney at True Blue Plantation features teams from 16 schools across the country. Campbell finished second in both the men's and women's tournaments to add to its run of combined crowns in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Campbell's men (-28) and women (+14) finished a combined 14 strokes under par, 25 ahead of runner-up Jacksonville (+11), which won the men's event. Boston College (+19), which claimed the women's tournament (+13) by one shot over Campbell, was third overall.
"It's a little disappointing to finish second in both tournaments, but it's exciting to know where our program is," said head coach John Crooks. "Both teams are competitive. It's a great start to the year and I look forward to the next one. This was a solid performance. All 10 of these players are outstanding and each one of them is going to have their day in the sun where they're going to be low for Campbell."
On the men's side, the Camels were 11-under on the day, and 28-under for the tournament (272-287-277—836), but finished four strokes behind champion Jacksonville (275-282-275—832). The Campbell men led the field in par-3 scoring (-3), and were second with 64 birdies and on the par-4 layouts (-4).
Sophomore Ray Kraivixien produced the best finish of his career, coming in fourth on the leader board at 10-under 206 (69-68-69). The product of Bangkok Thailand sandwiched 3-under 69s around Monday's collegiate career low 68 and topped the 80-man field by playing the par-3 holes at 4-under. His previous career-best showing was a 13th-place tie at the 2015 Wolfpack Intercollegiate.
Junior Thomas LaMorte earned his fourth career top-10 finish by tying for seventh at 8-under 208 (66-68-74). The native of Demarest, N.J., opened the day with a double-bogey, but was even par the rest of the round. After shooting a collegiate career low 6-under in the first round, LaMorte finished the event tied for 3rd in par-3 scoring (-2), tied for 4th with 39 pars and tied for fifth on the par-4 holes (-4).
In his first collegiate action, freshman Max Theodorakis tied for 13th place (67-76-68—211) at five-under par. He was 5-under over Tuesday's last 10 holes and tied for eighth in the field with 14 birdies on the par-72, 6982-yard True Blue Plantation track.
Senior Craig Hornberger shot a 6-under 66 on Tuesday to move up to a 13th-place tie (70-75—66). The Lancaster, Pa., resident made seven birdies over his last 12 holes and finished the event tied for first in par-4 scoring (-5) and tied for eighth in birdies (14).
Red-shirt freshman Brett McLamb also made his collegiate debut at True Blue and tied for 69th (74-76-78—228).
"After a rough start, the men got it together and played really well," said Crooks. "To shoot 14-under after having 10 penalty strokes in the first 45 minutes really shows what these young men are capable of doing."
David Wicks of Jacksonville (69-66-68—203) was individual medalist at 13-under par, two strokes ahead of Camilo Aguado of Jacksonville State and JU teammate Raul Pereda.
The Campbell men continue their fall schedule Sept. 26-27 at the Mark Simpson Invitational at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, Colo.
Golfweek Program Challenge (Men)
Pawley's Island, S.C. / True Blue Plantation GC
Sept. 11-13, 2016 / Par 72, 6982 yards
Final Team Results: 1. Jacksonville 275-282-275—832, 2. Campbell 272-287-277—836, T3. Gardner-Webb 278-290-274—842, T3. James Madison 277-281-284—842, 5. Mercer 280-283-281—844, T6. Stetson 283-285-281—849, T6. Jacksonville State 281-279-289—849, 8. Radford 292-279-290—861, 9. Houston Baptist 280-297-290—867, T10. Morehead State 294-286-289—869, T10. Elon 284-291-294—869, 12. Boston College 290-289-291—870, 13. Western Carolina 292-288-299—879, 14. Valparaiso 301-286-293—880, 15. Tennessee Tech 295-296-295—886, 16. Xavier 303-300-298—901.
Final Individual Leaders: 1. David Wicks (Jacksonville) 69-66-68—203, T2. Camila Aguado (Jacksonville State) 66-68-71—205, T2. Raul Pereda (Jacksonville) 65-73-67—205, 4. Ray Kraivixien (Campbell) 69-68-69—206, T5. Tate Smith (Stetson) 68-68-71—207, T5. Aaron Thomas (Gardner-Webb) 68-72-67—207.
Other Campbell Individuals: T7. Thomas LaMorte 66-68-74—208, T13. Craig Hornberger 70-75-66—211, T13. Max Theodorakis 67-76-68—211, T69. Brett McLamb 74-76-78—228.
2016 Golfweek Program Challenge Final Combined Standings: 1. Campbell -14 (men -28, women +14), 2. Jacksonville +11 (men -32, women +43), 3. Boston College +19 (men +6, women +13), 4. James Madison +28 (men -22, women +50), 5. Jacksonville State +33 (men -15, women +48),6. Morehead State +40 (men +5, women +35), 7. Gardner-Webb +42 (men -22, women +64), 8. Mercer +44 (men -20, women +64), 9. Stetson +60 (men -15, women +75), 10. Houston Baptist +72 (men +3, women +69), 11. Tennessee Tech +90 (men +22, women +68), 12. Elon +97 (men +5, women +92), 13. Western Carolina +101 (men +15, women +86), 14. Valparaiso +111 (men +16, women +95), 15. Radford +116 (men -3, women +119), 16. Xavier +117 (men +37, women +80).
