DAUFUSKIE, S.C. - Derek Wallace
posted his fourth top-10 finish of the season as No. 40 UNC Wilmington finished
second to No. 24 South Carolina at the Rees Jones Invitational on Tuesday at
Haig Point.
South Carolina (300-280-289=869), ranked 24th by Golfstat, claimed the
tournament title for the second consecutive year. The Seahawks posted their
third straight top-3 finish and their second runner-up position of the fall.
"I'm proud of the way our kids competed and coming back from a tough
opening round," said UNCW Head Coach Matt Clark. "They never gave up and it
showed in their finish. We would have liked to have finished closer, but a
second place finish is good and we'll look to build up on it."
South Carolina's George Bryan IV (74-71-69=214) rallied in the final
round with a three-under 69 to tie teammate Paul Woodbury (74-68-72=214) for first-place.
Woodbury, who entered the final round with a three-stroke cushion, won a
two-hole playoff against Bryan for medalist honors.
Wallace (78-72-75=225), meanwhile, finished in a tie for ninth overall at
nine-over. Wallace entered the tournament ranked 70th and posted wins over five
ranked opponents.
Junior Ryan Sullivan (81-68-78=227) opened the final round in 10th place,
posted a six-over 78 in the third round and fell back into a tie for 14th.
Sophomore Taylor Zimmerman (78-77-73=228) finished in a tie for 17th at
12-over and junior Josh Brock (79-75-75=229) was 13-over and placed in a tie
for 21st. Zimmerman's one-over 73 led the Seahawks in the final round.
Freshman Stefan Brewer (81-80-75=236) rounded out UNCW's lineup,
finishing tied for 37th at 20-over.
Freshman Thomas Bass (77-78-70=225) finished in a tie for 12th overall at
the Gordin-Myers Golf Classic, where he and junior Michael Taylor (79-80-74=233)
competed as individuals. Taylor finished tied for 33rd at 17-over. Bass recorded
a two-under-par 70 in the final round to move up from 22nd place.
The Seahawks conclude their fall schedule Oct. 16-18 at the Bank of
Tennessee at The Ridges tournament in Johnson City.
