Posted: Apr 19, 2015

Motter’s 65 leads Bulldogs to state title

Grant Motter hit his second shot on the par-5 16^th hole at Lion Hills Country Club over the green. It set him up to put an exclamation mark on an outstanding MACJC season.

"I hit a really good chip shot and made it, got lucky," said Motter.

Motter was more than lucky on the final day of the MACJC State Championship in Columbus, firing a 7-under 65 Sunday to propel Mississippi Gulf Coast to its sixth state title since 2008.

He earned medalist honors by finishing 6-under for the tournament, five shots better than a threesome at 1-under that included teammate Phillip Hickam.

"We all played really well the first day considering how wet the conditions were," Hickam said. "We just all stuck together and played hard."

Gulf Coast's Conner Entriken shot even to finish in a fifth-place tie, and George Kawell's 2-over tied him for 11^th.

The Bulldogs finished 6-under, winning the team title by 10 shots over East Mississippi. Meridian finished third at 15-over, with Copiah-Lincoln another shot back.

Those four teams qualify for the Region 23 Tournament, which will also include host Jones County. The two-day tournament starts April 26 at Laurel Country Club.

"We realize this tournament's over and we have to put it aside to get ready for region," Entriken said. "We know we have to bring our A game and give our best effort."

Motter, Hickam and Entriken were named to the All-MACJC first team. Kawell was on the second team.

Motter won the Hubert Tucker Award, given to the best scoring average in the state. His best round of the MACJC season lowered his average to 70.70 strokes per round, more than two shots better than second-place Jacob Ross of Co-Lin. Hickam was five (74.50), Entriken was sixth (74.50) and Kawell was seventh (74.92).

The Bulldogs will head into next week's tournament with confidence given their depth and success this weekend.

"We've been preparing for it, getting a little better each week," Gulf Coast coach Tommy Snell said. "Postseason is what's it's all about. That's what I live for."

Complete scores can be found at http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=teamPlayer&tid=8003

Team scores

1. Gulf Coast 281-289 – 570 (-6)

2. East Mississippi 287-293 – 580 (+4)

3. Meridian 298-293 – 591 (+15)

4. Copiah-Lincoln 295-297 – 592 (+16)

5. East Central 293-302 – 595 (+19)

6. Hinds 304-294 – 598 (+22)

7. Northwest 310-294 – 604 (+28)

T8. Itawamba 298-315 – 613 (+37)

T8. Northeast 310-303 – 613 (+37)

10. Jones County 343-324 – 667 (+36)