Augusta men’s golf places sixth in Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst No. 2
By Justin Brosemer | Sports writer
The Augusta University men’s golf team finished in sixth place at the Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst No. 2 with a 43-over-par performance in the North Carolina tournament that took place March 1-2.
“Pinehurst was a true test of golf,” said AU golfer Dawson Booth. “It was mentally challenging for the most part, if you weren’t on top of your game.”
Augusta Coach Jack O’Keefe’s team would get an eighth-place performance from Ben van Wyk, who scored 69, 71 and 72 over 54 holes for a combined score of 212. Hampus Wijkstrom had his highest placing of the year with a tie for 27th. His 54-hole total was 221.
Dan Sheehan tied for 32nd, scoring 222 in the Invitational. Alex van Wyk tied for 49th, scoring 229. Rounding out the AU five was Dawson Booth, who scored 236 in his 60th-place effort.
“Ben (van Wyk) played very nicely for us on a world-class course here at Pinehurst No. 2,” Coach O’Keefe said. “He’s been close to breaking through this season, and he had a great performance this week. Hampus (Wijkstrom) played well this tournament too. We finished a bit poorly, but I like what I’m seeing from Alex (van Wyk) and Dan (Sheehan) moving forward.”
No. 2 ranked Wake Forest won the tournament, shooting 834, which was nine shots above the second-place team, UNC-Chapel Hill. Wake Forest golfer Michael Brennan placed first at 205.
North Carolina (843), NC State (857), Duke (861) and Virginia (877) round out the top five. Augusta finished ahead of two ACC teams in Boston College and Virginia Teach, as well as other Division I programs Furman, East Carolina and Davidson College.
World-famous Pinehurst No. 2 is where the late Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open on the 72nd hole over Phil Mickelson. Stewart’s famous outstretched right-arm gesture in reaction to the par-saving putt on No. 18 is now enshrined at a statue outside the Pinehurst golf shop. Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh were also in the hunt on that memorable final day at Pinehurst.
O’Keefe hopes his team can building momentum from its strong showing a Pinehurst.
“Heading into the Linger Longer Invitational, we’re practicing things like strategy and course management,” O’Keefe said. “Working on our mental toughness will help us finish better on these tougher holes moving forward.”
The Jaguars will play in the Linger Longer, hosted by Mercer and Kennesaw State, on March 12-14, at the Great Waters Golf Club in Eatonton.
Note: In the photo at the top of the page, Ben van Wyk shows his form. (photo by Melissa Schaub, special to the Bell Ringer)
Contact Justin Brosemer at jbrosemer@augusta.edu.
