Alpharetta, Ga. - Walk-on freshman Tyler Gruca shot 73 to lead the Georgia State men's golf team on Sunday afternoon in the final round of the Yellow Jacket Classic hosted by Georgia Tech at the Golf Club of Georgia. The Panthers tied for fourth in their final warm-up before next week's CAA Championship.
Gruca finished tied for 10th at 5-over par, following an opening round 76. It marked the third tournament this season that the freshman has finished as the top Georgia State golfer.
Georgia State shot a final round 298, after opening the tournament on Saturday with a first round 309 to finish at 31-over. Host Georgia Tech won the event by 19 strokes over UNC Wilmington. The Yellow Jackets finished the 36-hole tournament at 9-under par. UNC Wilmington, which will face off with Georgia State for the CAA Championship later this week, shot 10-over, followed by UAB at 29-over. Troy rounded out the five-team field in fifth place at 51-over par.
"I was glad to see us take 11 strokes off of our first round score today," commented head coach Joe Inman. "Every player in our top five improved by at least two strokes during the final round. If we can take that momentum into the CAA Championship next week, I think we will be able to challenge for the title."
Freshman Ross Mclister moved into a tie for 13th shooting 74 on day two, after opening with 77 to finish at 7-over par.
Senior Brent Paul finished tied for 18th after a final round 75, improving by three strokes from an opening round 78.
Senior Alan Fowler improved from 78 on Saturday to 76 on Sunday to finish 20th at 10-over.
Freshman Grant Cagle, who opened with an 85, shot 77 in the final round to finish 27th at 18-over.
Victor Lavin, playing as an individual, finished tied for 16th after a final round 81. The freshman opened with a 71 on Saturday, tying a career-low. He finished at 8-over par in his sixth tournament of the year.
Redshirt-junior Jared Cagle, also competing as an individual, finished 24th, shooting 78 on Sunday, finishing at 14-over. Senior Tommy Caswell rounded out the field, shooting 84, to tie for 30th at 25-over.
Georgia Tech's Paul Haley earned low medalist honors, shooting 68 in the final round to finish at 5-under par. Teammate Kyle Scott finished the tournament with back-to-back rounds of 70 to finish second at 4-under, followed by Yellow Jacket J.T. Griffin at 3-under in third. UNC Wilmington's Josh Brock finished alone in fourth at 2-over, followed by fellow Seahawk Thomas Bass and Georgia Tech's Richy Werenski in fifth at 3-over.
The Panthers will return to action at the CAA Championship on Friday in Pinehurst, N.C. A win on Pinehurst No. 8 will send the Panthers to the NCAA Regionals for the 11th time in 13 years.
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