Cuscowilla no match for ‘Cats
Solid all-around play and a blazing performance by junior Francisco Bide put the Bobcats in the winner’s circle against the toughest field of the year. Bide took his first individual crown with a closing four-under-par 66 to go with opening rounds of 71 on the par 70 layout.
“I didn’t miss a shot the whole tournament,” Bide said. “It definitely brings confidence that I finally did it after two and a half years.”
Bide was the only golfer to finish the demanding Cuscowilla test under par, finishing at two-under.
“(Bide) is that good of a player. He’s got it, and he finally let it come out,” Head Coach Jimmy Wilson said.
Unlike the last few years, GCSU got off to a strong start in the event. The Bobcats four-over par opening round gave them a two stroke cushion over constant rival Columbus State University.
Junior Niclas Johansson’s one-under 69 gave him the early individual lead. Sophomore Joe Young and junior Pedro C. Lima carded 72′s to go with Bide’s 71.
Due to the incredibly slow pace of play, the opening round took nearly six hours to complete. The tough, slick greens and the intimidating test of one of the top courses in the nation added minutes to the play clock.
The afternoon pace sped up just enough to complete play before darkness. The Bobcats slipped slightly in round two but were saved by a superb Lima score.
Lima busted out for a three-under-par 67 the second round. Two late bogeys prevented Lima from carding one of the best rounds in the history of the event.
The birdie outburst left Lima on top of the individual leader board at one-under-par, heading into the final day. Bide and Young stayed close to par with a 71 and 73 respectively. Johansson and sophomore Billy Shida posted frustrating rounds of 77 to end the day.
The second round 288 by GCSU was bettered by several teams who rose back into the competition. Columbus State shot a tournament low round of 278 to leap past the Bobcats and into the overnight lead.
Columbus was ahead of GCSU by eight strokes, as the Peach Belt Conference rival looked to spoil another party for the Bobcats. Nova Southeastern University and Valdosta State University played into the mix with rounds of 281 and 285 as well.
Click here to view a slideshow of the event!
Capping off two perfect spring days, the final round was played in the high 70′s with little breeze. Surprisingly, the normal windy area was calm for the event, which gave the players some extra scoring opportunities.
GCSU came out with a purpose in the all important third round. Bide ripped up the front nine in four-under-par to rev up the Bobcat engine.
Young and a suddenly confident Shida also played the front nine well to add to the momentum.
With overnight leader Columbus State feeling the pressure, GCSU quickly passed the Cougars on top.
As their opponents struggled, the Bobcats remained poised on the final nine. Bide kept his round going with crisp ball striking and a confident touch around the tricky greens.
Young got to one-under for the day after two quick birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. Even with a few bogeys on the way in, his 73 was much appreciated.
Shida found his swing and putting stroke to post his low round of the event at 72. Johansson failed to continue his incredible run in the top three as numerous putts led to a closing 76, and Lima had a tough break contributing to a big number late in the round. Lima struggled to a closing 78, but kept his focus.
Bide shook off missed birdie efforts on 15 and 16. The talented Argentinean stuck an approach inside five feet on the 17th hole and calmly drained the putt for birdie.
A clutch par on the beastly finishing hole gave Bide a 66, tying him for low round of the event. Bide sensed a possible victory walking off the green.
“I knew I had to be close to winning. Jimmy said ‘I think you did it’, but we didn’t know until afterwards,” Bide said.
The round lifted the home squad to its second victory in the history of the Bobcat Invitational. GCSU’s final round 288 was the low round of the day and gave the Bobcats a seven stroke victory after Columbus State limped in with a 302.
Lima and Young wrapped up the event in 16th and 20th place. Johansson and Shida finished a few strokes back, but still pitched in for the clutch victory.
Wilson said he had been waiting on the improvement to pay off. Close calls all year in big tournaments showed Wilson what the guys are made of.
“Nobody is in it for themselves,” Wilson said. “They keep each other accountable.”
Riding high after a a victory in the field that resembles the upcoming regional tournament in May, GCSU will return to action in the PBC Championship on April 20. Wilson feels secure with a squad that nearly tasted a national championship last year.
“They’re a veteran group that knows how to get ready,” Wilson said. “If we just play golf and let every body else worry, we’ll be fine.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 3 2009. Filed under Sports.
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