RESULTS | Bearcat Spring Invitational final results
 
Greenville, S.C.----The Wingate University men's golf team hit the ground running for its NCAA championship season, winning the Bearcat Spring Invitational by four shots over Catawba. Heading into round three tied with Lenoir-Rhyne, the Bulldogs posted a final round 288 to win the tourney at even-par 864.
 
The effort was spearheaded by blistering back-nine birdies from freshman Brandon Skidmore, giving the 2024 NCAA Division II quarterfinalists enough to bring the trophy home. Both Skidmore and graduate student Jordan Hyland finished inside the top five for the week at fourth and tied for fifth, respectively. Lander hosted the Bearcat Spring Invite on The Preserve at Verdae layout.
 
Second round quick hits
 
- The 'Dogs closed out the second round with a three-under-par 285
- Junior Fynn Loewe led the team with a three-under-par 69
- Loewe finished his round with birdies on holes 16-18 and hole No. 2
- Hyland carded four birdies with only two mistakes to shoot two-under-par 70
- Thanks to his 70, Hyland leapt into the top five heading into the final round
- Skidmore had four birdies, four bogeys and 10 pars for an even-par 72
- Junior Alfie Storer posted a two-over-par 74 to round out the team score
 
Third round quick hits
 
- Skidmore started slow, sitting at two-over-par through his opening seven holes
- A birdie on his next hole would kick start his round
- Skidmore finished in 32 strokes with four birdies and no mistakes on the inward half
- He was the third WU player to shoot a 69 in the tourney, tying the team's low round
- Junior Lewis Beeden had an opening-round 69, while Loewe shot 69 in the second
- Beeden rallied from a tough second round with a solid even-par 72
- His three birdies offset his three mistakes in the final round
- Hyland had a one-over-par 73 with four birdies to finish tied for fifth
- Storer closed out the team score with a two-over-par 74
- He eagled the par-five No. 18 for his second eagle of the week
- Wingate's final-round 288 gave the 'Dogs their second win in their last four events
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate freshman student-athlete Brandon Skidmore
 
"I'm delighted for the team to play solid and get the win this week, especially being the first tournament of the spring…it's always great to get off to a good start. I know we can push on and improve for the next few starts, using this week as a learning experience as well as a great confidence builder. I am happy with my game and performance this week as well, but I know I need to clean up some mistakes moving forward to go lower and contend more regularly."
 
Next on the Wingate agenda
 
- Wingate ventures to Florida Monday and Tuesday for the Spring Kickoff
- Lincoln Memorial is hosting the event at the St. Johns Golf & Country Club in St. Augustine
 
Wingate Line-up
 
1-Wingate 291-285-288=864
4-Brandon Skidmore, 74-72-69=215
T5-Jordan Hyland, 73-70-73=216
T12-Fynn Loewe, 75-69-75=219
33-Lewis Beeden, 69-83-72=224
T39-Alfie Storer, 80-74-74=228
 
Individuals
 
T39-Jake Smith, 74-77-77=228
T53-Max Drott, 74-83-76=233
71-Oscar Land, 86-77-84=247
                       
Top five teams (and ties)
 
1-Wingate 864
2-Catawba 868
3-USC Aiken 869
4-Lenoir-Rhyne 873
5-Belmont Abbey 884
 
Tournament Information
 
Bearcat Spring Invitational, Feb. 3-4 (27/27)
The Preserve at Verdae (par 72, 7021 yards)
Greenville, S.C. (hosted by Lander University)

(Editor's note: Wingate University graduate student Sean Addie contributed this article. The '23 Davis & Elkins graduate is a second-year MBA student at Wingate.)