Georgia State finishes with runner-up showing in South Carolina

The men’s golf team concluded The Invitational at The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina with a second-place finish and a combined 13-over par.

The Panthers finished well behind South Florida, who won the event by posting a mark of 14-under par and never trailed throughout all three rounds. After starting out the event tied for sixth place with Troy, the team eventually rallied back to finish in second behind the Bulls.

Sophomore Nathan Mallonee led the way for Georgia State with a 2-under, 214. He was the only Panther to finish under par. Damon Stephenson had the second-best score for Georgia State with a 1-over, 217. J. J. Grey had a 3-over, 219. Collectively, the Panthers finished ahead of Georgia Southern, who placed third at 15-over.

Troy, Kentucky, College of Charleston, Duke, Charleston Southern, Western Carolina, Stephen F. Austin, and UT-Arlington rounded out the top ten finishers by team.

Chase Kopeka of South Florida won the tournament with an 8-under, 208. Bright Julamool of Western Carolina had a 7-under 209 to place second. There was a tie for third place with three golfers concluding the event with 5-under 211 performances. The three were Scott Wolfes of Georgia Southern, J.T. Poston of Western Carolina, and Jared Bettcher of Troy.

The next time the Panthers will take to the fairways will be from Oct. 5-7 at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in Alabama.