Exiled Perth golfers make their mark

May 27 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH trans-Atlantic students Daniel Young and Paul McPhee have been hailed for their roles in a successful season for the Lynn University men’s golf team, writes Gordon Bannerman.

Despite being denied their seventh and most important victory of the season as CSU-Monterey Bay defeated Florida’s Fighting Knights 3-2 in matchplay to claim the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship, the Fair City duo came in for deserved recognition after a memorable campaign.

It marked the highest ever finish for the Blue and White team at the national championships.

Their previous best in NCAA play was fourth in 2006 while they claimed the 1996 NAIA National Title.

“What can you say, we played extremely well but [CSU] Monterey Bay had a tremendous day on the golf course,” said head coach Chris Greenwood after the event in Florence, Alabama. “All five of our guys shot under par but you have to tip your hat to CSUMB.”

For the first time in the 48-year history of the NCAA Division II Golf Championship, the winner was determined in matchplay.

Lynn, assisted by Craigie Hill man Young and King James VI member McPhee, held a commanding 14-stroke lead in the tournament after three rounds of stroke play and won two match play rounds to advance to the final.

CSUMB was 17-over-par and in third place after stroke play before winning all three match play rounds.

The 2010-11 season saw the Fighting Knights set numerous records. Lynn won six tournaments, had 25 top-10 individual finishes and broke the team stroke average mark.