Methodist Wins Fourth Straight O'Briant Memorial

Greensboro, N.C. (10/10/06) - Co-medalists Nick and Matt Bova helped Methodist College to its unprecedented fourth straight title in the 19th annual Tom O'Briant Memorial Golf Tournament at the Greensboro Country Club's Carlson Farm Course Tuesday. The Bovas both shot a three-over-par 74 in Tuesday's second and final round to finish with a two-over 144 (70-74). The pair outdistanced five students by one shot, including first-round leader Alex Balog of Huntingdon and Oglethorpe's David Dilibero, whose one-under 70 marked Tuesday's low round. Methodist earned a three-shot win over Oglethorpe, 589-592, which placed second for the fifth time in six years.

Methodist, a nine-time NCAA Division III national champion, broke the record of three straight O'Briant titles it shared with Duke's 'B' team (2000-02). The Monarchs are ranked first in the October 5 Bridgestone/Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Division III Coaches' Poll, just ahead of number-two Oglethorpe and third-ranked Guilford, the tournament host. Monarchs' junior John Duckworth shot 76 Tuesday to share 12th place in the 90-student field. Trey Howell provided the Monarchs' fourth score and shared 31st place after firing a 77 Tuesday to finish at 153.

The Bovas both made the turn three-over par for Tuesday's round, but came up with three birdies on the back nine for their 74. Matt Bova, a sophomore, birdied the 16th and 17th holes, but a bogey on 18 dropped him into a tie with his older brother, a senior. The pair declined the chance to play off to determine the medalist. Balog started the round with a three-shot lead on the Bovas, but struggled from the start with four bogeys on the first nine holes. He failed to birdie Tuesday after posting six sub-par holes in Monday's opening round. Guilford's Colin Clark, who shot an even-par 71 Tuesday, and Pfeiffer's Eric Forsman (72-73) joined Christopher Newport's Andrew Geary (72-73) in a five-way tie for third place.

Guilford shot the event's low round Tuesday (288) and rallied from eighth to third place in the 17-team field. The Quakers' Joseph Poplin shot 70 Tuesday and shared low-round honors with Dilibero. Poplin placed eighth with a five-over 146. Guilford sophomore Burton Wood bounced back from a first-round 79 with a one-over 72 and placed 20th (151). Rookie Ben Bershad shaved eight strokes off his first-day total and carded the Quakers' fourth score with a 75. Classmate Peter Latimer finished tied for 40th place with a 155 (78-77).

This year's event featured seven of NCAA Division III's top-25 teams, including all of the of the top-five squads. Five of Division III's last eight national champions were also in the field. In addition to top-Methodist, Oglethorpe and Guilford, the tournament included fourth-ranked Emory, number-five Huntingdon and 10th-ranked LaGrange.

The teams are competed on the par-71, 6,942-yard layout in northwest Greensboro. Greensboro Country Club hosted this year's event while the usual site, the Cardinal Golf and Country Club, receives extensive renovations. Guilford hosted the same tournament from 1978-87 when it was called the Guilford College Invitational.