USCB Men's Golf Finishes Fourth at Nationals
SILVIS, Ill. - The USCB men’s golf team improved by three places from their seventh place finish in 2009 as the Sand Sharks completed their season with a fourth place finish at the 2010 NAIA National Championships held at the TPC Deere Run Course in Silvis, Illinois. The Sand Sharks entered the final 18 homes two shots behind co leaders Oklahoma City and Malone and tied with Oklahoma Christian.
"I'm so proud of how this team performed. This is a huge building block for the future," said Head Coach Shane LeBaron just after the tournament. "Right now we are gently hurting, but after we reflect on this great achievement we will realize what we accomplished this week."
The Sand Sharks were paired with Grand View and Holy Names in Friday’s fourth round and found themselves waiting for the final three teams ahead of them to post their final round scores. When the dust had cleared Oklahoma City was crowned the champion with a 1184 total. Finishing in the runner-up position just two shots ahead of USCB, was Malone at 1189 with Oklahoma Christian third just one stroke in front of the Sand Sharks’ 1191 total. The Sand Sharks shot a nine over 293 for the final round.
Outgoing Athletics Director Kim Abbott said after the final results were announced, “This is not a matter of if, but rather when they will win a national championship. This is a team that stepped out in faith and did not realize they should be the underdogs as this was only our second year eligible to play in the NAIA National Championships.”
Individually, the Sand Sharks played very consistently as Jon Pannone posted the top score in the tournament for USCB at 296. He shot a final round even par 71 bolstered by a back nine of 32. George Thacker was the next Sand Shark to finish just a shot behind Pannone at 297. Chris Lane shot a final round 74 for a 299 total. Jack Bingham fired a final round one over par 72 to end the tournament at 303. Luke McClellan was the final Sand in the field concluding his tournament with a 312 total.
The Sand Sharks and Coach Shane LeBaron have every right to be proud of their season in 2010. They won a number of tournaments and improved three spots from the previous season. The good news is all five of the Sand Sharks team that played in Silvis will be returning next year perhaps making Kim Abbott’s quote that more prophetic.