PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA. – Josh Hetherington finished fourth individually and Campbell moved up four spots to finish fourth on the team leader board after Tuesday's final round of the Sea Best Invitational at TPC Sawgrass Dye's Valley.
 
Led by individual medalist Nicholas Gabrelcik (66-73-68--207), North Florida (280-291-290—861) claimed team honors by 12 strokes over runners-up Liberty (873) and Duke (873) on the par-70 Pete Dye layout.  Campbell (298-296-288—882), which turned in the low round of the day, was fourth and NC State (289-298-297—884) fifth in the 12-team field.
 
In cold and blustery conditions, Hetherington claimed his best-ever collegiate finish by matching his low round in a Camel uniform Tuesday (75-70-68—213).  Fellow senior Pontus Nyholm (72-75-68—215) matched Hetherington and Gabrelcik for the low individual round of the day and tied for eighth – his 16th career top-10 finish.
 
Only two players in the 75-golfer field finished in red numbers over 54 holes on the 6790-yard layout. Hetherington was 2-under over the final 36 holes, while Nyholm recorded his second-best score (behind an opening 67 last year) in 12 career rounds at the venue.
 
"It's always exciting when you see your seniors do what they do well," said Campbell head coach John Crooks, who is in his 31st year in the position.  "When people play well, they putt well.  The wind and the speed of the greens made keeping the ball close to the hole very difficult. Many times you'd hit a good putt, but still had to make a 5-to-6 footer for par.  That's what they did all day.  This is a Pete Dye golf course, and that means every part of your game is tested."
 
Playing in a team event for the first time since Feb. 2020, Campbell produced its best team finish in the event, which routinely includes some of the nation's top college golf programs.
 
"The golf course certainly won," said Campbell head coach John Crooks, who is in his 31st year in the position.  "It's a great design, and under these conditions, it's just that much harder.  The wind blew 20 miles per hour and the temperature was cold, but not one of our guys complained.  We spent a semester practicing, and it wouldn't have mattered if there were hailstorms out here. It was just nice to be back out there again competing."
 
Hetherington's two-under par final round included six birdies, while Nyholm made four birds in his two-under day.  Hetherington finished the event tied for third in birdies (12) and par-5 scoring (-4) and tied for fifth on the par-4 holes (+5).
 
Junior transfer Edwin Blomander (77-76-75—228) and sophomore Claude Churchward (75-76-77—228) tied for 41st place, while junior Henrik Lilja tied for 46th (76-75-79—230). Competing as an individual, sophomore Alejandro Cogollo tied for 26th (78-70-75—223).
 
Cogollo tied for sixth in the 75-player field with 35 pars.  He and Blomander played the par-3 holes even (T5th).  Nyholm and Cogollo were both 2-under on the par fives. Nyholm made nine birdies and 31 pars. Blomander finished with 33 pars and Churchward 31.
 
The Camels continue their spring season Mar. 1-2 with the Southern Invitational, hosted by Loyola-Maryland at The Falls Club in Palm Beach, Fla.
 
Sea Best Invitational
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. / TPC Sawgrass Dye's Valley Course
Feb. 1-2, 2021 / Par 70, 6790 Yards
 
Final Team Results: 1. North Florida 280-291-290—861, T2. Liberty 291-293-289—873, T2. Duke 284-300-289—873, 4. Campbell 298-296-288—882, 5. NC State 289-298-297—884, T6. Charlotte 284-301-300—885, T6. Jacksonville 295-293-297—885, 8. College of Charleston 289-304-294—887, 9. Florida Gulf Coast 297-303-295—895, 10. Lipscomb 301-313-310—924, 11. Toledo 314-310-307—931, 12. USC Upstate 309-320-313—942.
 
Final Individual Leaders: 1. Nicholas Gabrelcik (UNF) 66-73-68—207, 2. Easton Paxton (NC State) 68-68-72—208, T2. 3. Adrien Pendaries (Duke) 70-69-71—210, T4. Josh Hetherington (Campbell) 75-70-68—213, T4. *Brady Madsen (FGCU) 69-70-74—213.
 
Other Campbell Individuals: T8. Pontus Nyholm 72-75-68—215, T26. *Alejandro Cogollo 78-70-75—223, T41. Claude Churchward 75-76-77—228, T41. Edwin Blomander 77-76-75—228, T46. Henrik Lilja 76-75-79—230.
* individual competitor – does not count in team score