ATHENS, Ga. – Battling extreme cold, wind and rain, Kennesaw State sophomore Jake Fendt overcame the adverse conditions to claim individual medalist honors at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships that were held Monday (March 13) at the par-72, 6,917-yard Athens Country Club.
Fendt posted rounds of 68-69 for a 7-under par 137 to record a one-shot victory over Georgia’s Greyson Sigg and defeat a field that included six teams in Golfstat’s top 50 and seven players ranked in the top 85.
In recording 11 birdies over 36 holes, Fendt earned individual medalist honors for the first time, while registering his 10th career top 20 and fifth top 10 showing.
Fendt’s performance helped Kennesaw State place fourth with a 3-under par total of 573 to finish nine shots behind ASUN Conference rival Lipscomb, which claimed the team title with a 12-under par score of 564.
The event format was a change from most tournaments as the teams played together in fivesomes with four scores counting.
“Today’s conditions were brutal. Our team stuck it out the entire day and kept each other in high spirits despite the somewhat depressing conditions,” Fendt said. “My game was sharp, ball striking was solid and putting was exceptional. I had a great time, and it feels great to have reached one of my goals.”
Senior Teremoana Beaucousin (71-73 – 144; E) tied for 18th, while freshman Connor Coffee (72-73 – 145; +1) tied for 23rd, and sophomore Pablo Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres (77-70 – 147; +3) and senior Christopher Guglielmo (80-76 – 156; +12) tied for 30th and 65th, respectively.
“Today’s rounds were played in extremely tough conditions with the temperatures in the high 30s, and greens firm and fast,” head coach Bryant Odom said. “Jake played some beautiful golf and got a much-deserved victory. He’s one of the most focused and hardest-working players on the team. As a coach, it is fulfilling to see such a determined player achieve one of his goals.”
Kennesaw State will have a short break before returning to action when it co-hosts with Mercer the Linger Longer Invitational at Great Waters Golf Course at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga., beginning Sunday (March 19).
“I saw a lot of really solid golf today amongst the team and am excited about how we are trending towards the meat of the spring schedule,” Odom said. “We’ll take a few days off and get ready for the Linger Longer and another strong field that we’ll see next week.”