Pack Captures Wolfpack Intercollegiate Title

Results

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's golf team captured the 2017 Wolfpack Intercollegiate behind clutch play during the closing holes of the tournament. The win is the second consecutive tournament victory for the team.

"We expect to commit to play 54 holes every tournament and golf is a game that good success and frustration can affect your commitment on each shot," NC State head men's golf coach Press McPhaul said. "What we want to do is play 54 holes all the way to the finish. It's something we talk about. It's something the guys have said they want to do. I'm really proud because I saw evidence today that they were doing that. The last three holes when it was the tightest, they played some of their best golf of the day. I'm really proud of them for that."

The Pack and rival UNC-Chapel Hill were tied after the first and second round Monday and remained close throughout the third round. The Tar Heels pulled out to an early lead and held it through most of the day, but the Pack combined as a team to shoot four-under-par on the final three holes of the tournament, while UNC-CH shot three-over-par to overtake the Tar Heels for the win.

Campbell finished in third place, Loyola (Md.) in fourth and East Carolina and Maryland finished in a tie for fifth place.

Junior Stephen Franken collected the first individual title of his career with a three-day score of 15-under-par.

Franken's score of 15-under-par tied an NC State program record for score in relation to par. Franken matched the mark previously set by David Cooke (2016 Wolfpack Spring Open), Justin Walters (2002-03 Nelson Invitational) and Stephen Lewton (2005-06 Seminole Intercollegiate).

"Maybe the only thing harder than playing great golf is following up great golf the next day," McPhaul said. "He played great golf yesterday for 36 holes. To come out today and continue to play committed and play confidently and play 18 holes like he did with total commitment all the way to the end shows a lot of competitive character.

Franken fired a 66 and 65 on Monday to open a nine shot lead on the field. The NC State junior birdied three of the first seven holes on Tuesday and helped complete the Pack's comeback with a birdie on 16 as he finished the final round with a score of two-under-par 70.

Freshman Easton Paxton rebounded from a tough second round to tie Franken for the best score for NC State on Tuesday as he fired a two-under-par 70. Paxton finished in a tie for 31^st place with a three round total of 220.

Nolan Mills Jr., shot a 73 in the third round and finished the tournament in a tie for 13^th place with a three round score of 215.

Benjamin Shipp finished in a tie for 25^th place with a three round score of 218.

Christian Salzer rounded out the Pack lineup in 40^th place with a three round score of 223.

Competing as individuals, Justin Hood finished in 25^th place with a score of 218, while Harrison Rhoades finished one shot back of Hood in 28^th place with a score of 219. Dwight Cauthen finished in 71^st place with a score of 238.

The Pack has the next few weeks off before returning to the links on Friday, Oct. 27 when it competes in the UNCG Grandover Intercollegiate held in Greensboro, N.C.

TOURNAMENT SCORES:
1: Stephen Franken 66-65-70—201
T13: Nolan Mills Jr. 71-71-73—215
T25: Benjamin Shipp 72-71-75—218
T31: Easton Paxton 71-79-70—220
T40: Christian Salzer 75-73-75—223

INDIVIDUALS:
T25: Justin Hood 72-72-74—218
T28: Harrison Rhoades 71-73-75—219
71: Dwight Cauthen 80-81-77—238

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Players Mentioned

Dwight Cauthen

Stephen Franken

Justin Hood

Nolan Mills Jr.

Easton Paxton

Harrison Rhoades

Christian Salzer

Benjamin Shipp