(photo courtesy of MercerBears.com) Head coach Andrew Tredway believes Josh Cone has a good shot of extending his year by receiving a bid into the NCAA tournament.
Mercer’s men’s golf team recorded the lowest round of the Atlantic Sun tournament during Wednesday’s final round at the Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Ga., as they shot a combined 277 to move up the standings to finish fourth. Kennesaw State would capture their first conference tournament title by nine strokes over North Florida while Campbell would take third during the three-day tournament.
“It was a fun day out there,” said head coach Andrew Tredway following the championship on MercerBears.com. “We got off to a hot start and then the guys finished it, which was so big for our programs,” he added.
Fueling the move up the team standings during the final day of play was freshman Hans Reimers (T-2nd, 70-71-69) who came within three strokes of taking the individual tournament title. Josh Cone (T-17th, 72-74-70) would also put together a fantastic round for a five way tie for 17th, finishing at +3 for the tournament.
“Josh Cone has been so steady all year—just a top 20 machine,” added the head coach. “I’m confident that the NCAA committee will look favorably upon him and what he’s done. What I’m so proud of him for is his patience throughout the season. He could have really gotten frustrated at times but he just put his head down and kept going.”
Reimer’s finish set a record for the best placement by a Mercer freshman at the event as well as a program best three-round score at the conference championship.
“Hans really played well this week and really all spring,” Tredway commented. “He came into a new situation and made the most of his opportunity and that’s what it is all about. He’s such a hard worker and he could turn himself into a top tier player when it’s all said and done.”
Teammates Matt Kocolowski (T-24th, 76-72-70) and Mookie DeMoss (T-31st, 81-72-68) would also contribute rounds below par with DeMoss posting the second lowest round of the day. Thomas Holmes (DNF, 76-DNF-78) would complete the first and third rounds after battling a case of food poisoning on Tuesday. After the final round Tredway was extremely complementary of Holmes’ effort despite his individual score not counting. Tredway said, “He was sick all week and he just kept grinding. He’s a true warrior and I want him with me in battle anytime.”
Now that Mercer’s season is complete Tredway will look to prep his returning golfers for next season, but Josh Cone will likely receive a bid to the NCAA Regionals to continue his 2010-11 individual season. If Cone is selected, he’ll be only the second player in school history in all sports to receive an at-large bid.
