Auburn University swept both the team and individual titles at the inaugural PGA NCCGA (National Collegiate Club Golf Association) Pinehurst Open, held Dec. 6–7 on Pinehurst No. 6 and Pinehurst No. 9. There were 27 college teams from across the country competing in frigid conditions.
Auburn (pictured) entered the final round in fourth place and fired a tournament-best 370 on No. 9, which played to lower scores throughout the weekend. Auburn edged the University of Virginia, which finished second at 759 (374-385). Texas A&M placed third (760, 389-371), followed by the University of Tampa (763, 377-386) and Virginia Tech (764, 371-393).
Auburn club president C.J. Sahlman, a senior who has been a member of the team since his freshman year, said the win reflects how far the team has come.
We have come a long way,” Sahlman said. “… We have a great group of guys and this is just awesome.”
Tyler Cotton, a senior at Auburn, claimed the individual title and was the only player to shoot even par over 36 holes, posting rounds of 73–71 (144) after starting the day in seventh place. Three players tied for second at 145, including Indiana’s Tim Daugherty (72–73), Rutgers’ Brady Lewis (72–73) and Auburn’s Wes Sauceda (75–70).
“I was just really fortunate, got some good kicks and never gave up,” said Cotton (pictured, far left). “God certainly had a hand in some of those shots I hit for sure.”
The PGA NCCGA Pinehurst Open welcomes collegiate club teams of all skill levels. Entry is open to the first teams that register, provided they are active NCCGA clubs in good standing. Each team fields up to eight players, with the top five scores counting each day toward the 36-hole team total.
