No. 1 Bulldogs, Zielinski sweep Gulf Coast Invitational
DIAMONDHEAD — No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast swept the opening tournament of the spring golf schedule by picking up the team and individual titles at the Gulf Coast Invitational.
The Bulldogs beat Meridian by 31 strokes to win the 10th straight MACCC event they've played in. Andrew Zielinski (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) won medalist by two shots after firing a 2-under 70 on the Pine Course at The Club at Diamondhead.
"I was very pleased again, just like yesterday, with the consistency throughout the day," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "We've still got a little bit to work on shaking off the rust, but to come out here and win that way was pretty impressive. I was very proud of them."
Gulf Coast dominated the All-Tournament Team, with Bulldogs in four of the five spots after Zielinski. Jackson Wise (So., Pontotoc/North Pontotoc) and Peyton Russell (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) tied for third, finishing at 3-over. Will Burnham (So., Jackson/Jackson Prep) was another shot back in fifth, and Ludvig Behring (Fr., Sollentuna, Sweden/Osterakers Gymnasium) shot 72 to move up to sixth.
Copiah-Lincoln's Oscar Toreld was the only non-MGCCC player in the top six. He finished two shots back of Zielinski.
"I played really good the first day," Zielinski said. "I got hot on the front nine before all the wind and weather happened, and I was able to cruise in on the back nine. Today was just kind of a mediocre day playing sorta good golf, and I made a few birdies the last few holes to get me in position to win."
He and Toreld were playing on opposite sides of the course after the shotgun start, so Thornton wasn't sure exactly where they stood at the top of the leaderboard. But Zielinski birdied 15 and 16 to remove all doubt.
"Getting his first college win is huge," Thornton said. "I told people before, if he ever gets that first win, you better watch out."
Gulf Coast will play in the Coastal Alabama Invitational next Monday and Tuesday. The Bulldogs will be playing at Gulf Shores Golf Club.
Full results: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournament-leaderboard/231681/scoring/team
Team scores |
|
| Team | Scores |
|---|---|
| 1. Gulf Coast (A) | 291-292—583 (+7) |
| 2. Meridian | 313-301—614 (+38) |
| 3. Gulf Coast (B) | 311-308—619 (+43) |
| 4. East Central | 313-315—628 (+52) |
| 5. Jones | 330-310—640 (+64) |
| 6. Copiah-Lincoln | 334-310—644 (+68) |
| 7. East Mississippi | 331-323—654 (+78) |
| 8. Northeast Mississippi | 336-326—662 (+86) |
| 9. Coastal Alabama-South | 337-327—664 (+88) |
| 10. Hinds | 333-334—667 (+91) |
| 11. Itawamba | 347-324—671 (+95) |
| 12. Southwest Mississippi | 368-319—687 (+111) |
| 13. Pearl River | 389-343—732 (+156) |
MGCCC scores |
|
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| 1. Andrew Zielinski | 71-70—141 (-3) |
| T3. Jackson Wise | 73-74—147 (+3) |
| T3. Peyton Russell | 75-72—147 (+3) |
| 5. Will Burnham | 72-76—148 (+4) |
| 6. Ludvig Behring | 79-72—151 (+7) |
| T7. John Mark Mills | 76-76—152 (+8) |
| T16. Mateo Jimenez | 75-81—156 (+12) |
| T16. Stanley Campbell | 77-79—156 (+12) |
| T19. Garner Seymour | 81-76—157 (+13) |
| T31. Kyle Davidson | 80-84—164 (+20) |
For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
