Duluth, Ga. - Paced by a top 10 finish from sophomore Tyler Gruca, the Georgia State men's golf team completed competition in the inaugural AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic with a share of fifth place in the 12-team field. The host Panthers shot a 295 during the final round of the two-day tournament held at the par 72, 6,694-yard Berkeley Hills Country Club.
Georgia State opened the tournament with a 301 and had a 13-stroke turnaround in the second round to shoot a season-best even par 288. The Panthers concluded the tournament with a 7-over 295 on the final 18 holes to finish tied for fifth with Georgia Southern at 884 (+20). GSU's share of fifth place included a win over 47th-ranked UNC-Greensboro.
"The tournament was a great success," said head coach Joe Inman. "All the golfers seemed to really love the course. The coaches thought it presented a great challenge that emphasized control of the ball and discipline. Overall, there was universal praise for both the course and the tournament."
Gruca completed the Panthers' home tournament with a share of 7th place out of the 75 competitors, representing the best finish of his career. The Alpharetta, Ga. native landed consecutive birdies on holes No. 2 and 3 and another on the seventh to go out at 2-under 34. Gruca finished the day at 1-under 71, coupled with his two earlier even rounds, gave him a 215 (-1) finish and the second top 10 during his time with GSU.
"Tyler put together a great tournament this week," commented Inman. "His next step is to go out, shoot low and stay low to really post some impressive numbers."
Senior Clemens Dvorak fired a final round 73 to finish in a tie for 13th place at 4-over. Sophomore Grant Cagle got off to a good start after the turn with back to back birdies on the 10th and 11th. He further impressed with an eagle on the par 5, 552-yard 15th but stumbled with bogeys on his final three holes to finish the day at 2-over 73. Cagle completed the tournament tied for 29th place at 8-over.
Redshirt-senior Jared Cagle and freshman Davin White each carded 77 in the final round. White finished the tournament in a tie for 38th place at 10-over while Cagle completed the 54-holes with a share of 70th place.
Competing as an individual, Sam Jandel finished in a tie for 29th place at 8-over. The redshirt-sophomore from Dayton, Ohio bogeyed No. 1 but maintained even par over the next eight holes to go out at 37. He matched three bogeys with three birdies on the back nine to come in even and finish with his best round of the tournament at 1-over 73.
Also playing as individuals, sophomores Victor Lavin and Ross Mclister both finished with a share of 55th place after posting final rounds of 77 and 84, respectively. Freshman Damon Stephenson also carded a third round 77 and finished in a tie for 65th place.
Tenth-ranked North Florida held onto the lead throughout the third round to finish in the top spot at 9-under. Despite firing a tournament-best 279 in the final round, No. 24 Chattanooga missed out on the title by just two strokes to finish in second place at 7-under. No. 38 East Carolina took third place with 870 followed by Minnesota in fourth with 872.
East Carolina's Harold Varner earned medalist honors with a final round 69 to finish at 8-under. Varner held a one-stroke lead over Chattanooga's Steven Fox in second place. Sean Dale of Chattanooga and Stephan Jaegar of North Florida both finished in third at 6-under.
Georgia State will have a weekend off for rest and preparation before heading back to the links for its final tournament of the fall season. The Panthers will compete in the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate in Greensboro, N.C. beginning Saturday, Oct. 29.
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