VCU RALLIES TO SHOCK GEORGIA STATE FOR CAA GOLF TITLE
4-19-09
Full Results
PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Virginia Commonwealth University rallied from 12 strokes down in the final round and defeated Georgia State on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the 2009 Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Golf Championship Sunday at Callaway Gardens.

It’s VCU’s eighth CAA golf crown, but first since it won seven straight from 1996-2002. It was the second playoff it league history. Old Dominion defeated UNC Wilmington in a playoff in 2003.

Tied at 13-over after 54 holes, the Rams and Panthers went to a sudden death playoff. On the first hole, VCU junior Rafael Campos (Guaynabo, Puerto, Rico) and sophomore Mark Jargren (Helsingborg, Sweden) made birdies, while teammates Lanto Griffin (Blacksburg, Va.), Vincent Nadeau (Penhook, Va.) and Evan Boyer (Raleigh, N.C.) made par, to push the Rams to 2-under par. In the meantime, each of Georgia State’s five golfers made par, giving the championship to VCU.

“Those were some tense moments,” VCU Head Coach Matt Ball said. “Everything was on the line, but the guys were engaged and hit great golf shots.”

The Rams’ dream of a CAA Championship seemed over Saturday after VCU fired a 13-over 301 to fall 12 shots behind the defending-champion Panthers.

However, while Georgia State struggled to a 10-over final round Sunday, VCU was busy piecing together its best performance of the tournament. The Rams, led by Nadeau’s 4-under 68, finished two strokes under par.

Nadeau was the driving force down the stretch, recording birdies on No. 11, 13, 16 and 17. He shot 32 on the back nine. In addition, Boyer, a freshman, eagled No. 17 when he dropped his second shot from the fairway, and Jargren birdied No. 18.

“I told the guys after Saturday that our ranking was where it needed to be to have a chance to get into the NCAA Tournament, but we could not lose to [William & Mary and James Madison] Sunday,” Ball said. “I told them I knew it was a lot of pressure to have everything on the line on one day, but your attitude on the golf course will dictate your success. If you control your emotions you’ll be fine, and they responded.”

VCU’s victory earns the Rams an automatic bid into one of six NCAA Super Regionals May 14-16. Super Regionals will be held in Galloway, N.J., Austin, Tex., Daly City, Calif., Sorrento, Fla., Bowling Green, Ky., Stillwater, Okla. and Toledo, Ohio.

Griffin and Jargren were VCU’s highest individuals, each finishing at 2-over (218) to tie for third. Both players were named to the CAA’s All-Tournament Team.

Meanwhile, Boyer (+5) tied for seventh and Nadeau (+8) tied for 13th.

CAA MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Callaway Gardens – Mountain View Course (Pine Mountain, Ga.)
Par 72, 7,057 Yards
Team Scores
Rk Team (To Par) 1st-2nd-3rd--F
*T1 VCU (+13) 290-301-286--877
T1 Georgia State (+13) 285-294-298--877
3 William & Mary (+20) 300-291-293--884
T4 UNCW (+27) 304-297-290--891
T4 James Madison (+27) 293-294-304--891
T4 Old Dominion (+27) 311-293-287--891
7 Delaware (+62) 321-307-298--926
8 George Mason (+64) 318-304-306--928
9 Drexel (+68) 309-308-315--932
10 Towson (+88) 315-322-315--952
11 Hofstra (+166) 342-351-337—1030

* - VCU wins on first hole of sudden-death playoff

VCU
T-3 Lanto Griffin (+2) 69-73-76--218
T-3 Mark Jargren (+2) 71-76-71—218
T-7 Evan Boyer (+5) 75-75-71
T-13 Vincent Nadeau (+8) 79-77-68