Guilford's Latimer Wins Pine Needles Intercollegiate
Southern Pines, N.C.(02/26/08) -- Belmont Abbey College shot a three-over-par 291 Tuesday to win the Pine Needles Intercollegiate men's golf tournament at the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. The Crusaders finished with a two-day 591, which led the 10-team field by 10 shots. Tournament host Guilford College climbed four places to finish second at 601, thanks to medalist Peter Latimer's (pictured) one-over 143. Cape Fear Community College also shot 294 Tuesday and finished 13 strokes off the lead at 604.
Thunderstorms and lightning delayed play for two hours Tuesday on the par-71, 7,015-yard Donald Ross-designed layout.
Belmont Abbey started Tuesday two strokes off the lead in third place, but had three students shoot 73 or better en route to the tourney's low round. Matt Chidester fired a one-under 70 Tuesday and shared fourth place on the 56-man leaderboard with teammate Chris Carvill (74-72) at 146. Belmont Abbey's Joe Campbell shaved three strokes off of his opening round and shared 12th place at 76-73-149. Connor Tomlinson's 76 provided the Crusaders' final score Tuesday. He finished in a three-way tie for 18th at 151.
Latimer, who opened the day in second place after Monday's even-par 71, claimed his second college medalist honor with a 73 Tuesday. He held off teammate Burton Wood, who matched the tournament's low round Tuesday with a three-under 68 and placed second at 145. Cape Fear's Steven Brame shared second place after shooting 75-70-145. First-round leader Will Scarborough of Wesley College struggled to an 84 Tuesday and finished tied for 22nd at 153.
Pine Needles is ranked 43rd among the nation's Top 100 Public Golf Courses according to Golf Digest and has hosted six United States Golf Association Championships, including the 2007 U.S. Women's Open Championship.