JOPLIN, Mo. – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College golfer Whit Hayes finished tied for 55th place in the NJCAA Division II Championship at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
Hayes, a sophomore from Thomasville, saved his best round for last as he carded a 3-over par 75 in Friday’s final round. After opening with a 76, he shot an 80 on Wednesday’s second round and a 79 in round 3.
Friday’s final round got off to a shaky start as Hayes had a double bogey on the first hole before making three consecutive birdies. He bogeyed the next two holes before a birdie on the par 5 seventh and finished the front nine with bogeys for a 38 at the turn. He steadied himself on the back nine with seven pars, a double bogey and a birdie.
Kirkwood Community College’s Grant Greazel won the individual championship by shooting a 3-under par 285 for the event, the only golfer to finish the tournament under par. In all, 128 golfers competed in the tournament and only the top 100 made the cut to play the final two rounds.