MGCCC WINS GULF DISTRICT

Sheer dominance.

That's the best way to describe what No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast did this week at the NJCAA Gulf District Championship, and the cherry on top was an authoritative romp to the 15^th title in the last 16 times the event has been staged.

Over three days, Gulf Coast beat the field by 64 shots. The Bulldogs shot 46-under over 54 holes to clinch another trip to the national championship. Stanley Campbell (Fr., London, England/Essex Golf College) shot 18-under for the tournament to lead four Bulldogs atop the leaderboard. Wednesday, they were 25-under par.

"There's not words to be able to describe today that wouldn't be an understatement," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "It was phenomenal. The guys came out and just put on a show. It was impressive, one through five. We played 54 holes and didn't have to count one score over par, and then the guys today went off."

No Gulf Coast golfer finished worse than even-par in 15 individual rounds.

Campbell shot 6-under in the final round, but Will Burnham (So., Jackson/Jackson Prep) actually picked up a shot against his teammate by firing 65. Andrew Zielinski (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) shot 66 to finish in third, and Peyton Russell (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) moved up a spot with a 66 of his own.

Jackson Wise (So., Pontotoc/North Pontotoc) carded metronomic 72-72-72 to finish at even par and tied for sixth, just missing a Gulf Coast sweep of the All-District Team.

Campbell made the turn at 1-under, then had four birdies and an eagle on the next six holes. 

"I got off to a really good start on Monday," he said. "I thought that was the best I could play, but I went out the next day with an open mind and shot even better. That gave me a lot of confidence going out today. I didn't really think much about the lead and just kept doing what I've been doing."

Burnham had six birdies on the back, as did Zielinski. Russell had seven birdies on the first 11 holes.

Thornton was named the Gulf District Coach of the Year, and he'll be taking a team to Joplin, Mo., where all five golfers have won a tournament.

"We call it the Big Boy Club," he said. "Anybody that gets to join that club, you tip your cap to them because it takes a lot to win at this level."

Gulf Coast's 25-under in the final round set a school record for a single round, as did the 46-under did for a 54-hole total.

The Bulldogs will be joined at the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship on May 21-24 by Meridian, which finished second, and East Central.

"I'm looking forward to nationals," Campbell said. "If our worst guy shot even-even-even, then bring it on. This is so good. We're not struggling on the five or six. Everyone on our team can come out and post a win. That just gives us all a lot of confidence."

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.