Gulf Coast heads to Region 23 tourney

Mississippi Gulf Coast will go for its eighth consecutive Region 23 championship starting Sunday at Laurel Country Club. Five teams plus five individual golfers are scheduled to hit the course starting at 8:30 a.m.

The top team advances to the NJCAA national tournament which starts May 19 at Goose Pond Colony Golf Club in Scottsboro, Ala.

Gulf Coast won the MACJC state championship against these same teams by 10 strokes, giving the team confidence headed to Laurel.

"Winning by that big of a margin really helps us," Phillip Hickam said. "We have to stay humble and keep working hard. Nothing is given to us."

Hickam and teammates Grant Motter and Conner Entriken made All-MACJC first team, with Motter winning the state title and posting the lowest scoring average in the state for the season by a wide margin.

Fans can follow the live scoring at GolfStat.com.