Courtesy: Howard University
Howard University men’s golf team captured its first Northeast Conference (NEC) title Sunday afternoon at the Callaway Gardens Resort (par-72, 6,981 yards) in Pine Mountain, Ga. After placing second a year ago, HU led start-to-finish in this year’s tourney with record-setting performances.
Collectively, Howard shot an impressive 5-under par (859) in 54 holes of action, including 10-over par (298) in the final round. Four Bison were named to the NEC All-Tournament Team after finishing in the top 10 individually.
Graduate Gregory Odom Jr. (Memphis, Tenn.) led the charge, tying for third overall (215, -1) in the player leaderboard. The Memphis native fired even-par (72) on Day Three with three birdies and an eagle on 15. Rookie Bear Huff (Riverside, Calif.) had his best three-round outing in his young Bison career, tying for fifth (216, E) overall.
Senior Marcus Smith Jr. (Rockford, Ill.) posted a 217 (+1) in three days of competition, including a 73 (+1) with three birdies on Sunday. The Illinois product tied for seventh in the individual standings. Graduate Everett Whiten Jr. (Chesapeake, Va.) rounded out the top 10, placing 10th overall (218, +2).
LIU and Sacred Heart (SHU) tied for runner-up, shooting seven-over par (871) during the three rounds of play.
On Wednesday Howard University finds out its destination for the NCAA Regional Round (May 12-15). The 2024 NCAA DI men’s golf championship begins with a 2 p.m. ET selection show on Golf Channel on Wednesday, May 1. The championship concludes March 24-29 in Carlsbad, California.
Before then, HU travels to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to defend its PGA Works Collegiate Championship (May 6-8).