Blanchard, Jaguars capture Southland Conference championships
By Rodrigo Burgos-Avila | Sports writer
The Augusta University men’s golf team again proved its dominance in the Southland Conference, capturing its third consecutive conference championship in Pineville, La., last week.
Bo Blanchard took home the medalist trophy, and he and his teammates captured the Southland Conference championship on April 23. Augusta led from start to finish.
The Jaguars separated themselves from the field with a final-round surge, finishing 21 under par overall and 10 strokes ahead of second-place Incarnate Word.
“ I’m just unbelievably proud of the team for the way they played this week,” said AU Coach Steven Paine. “We have played really well in stretches this year but just haven’t put it all together as much as we’d like. And for it all to come together when it mattered most was really special. The guys showed great mental toughness down the stretch, and it’s very rewarding to see all the work we’ve put in pay off.”
The Jaguars’ performance was capped by Augusta’s best round of the week. The Jags posted a 10-under-par team score on the final 18, which included three eagles and steady scoring from all five golfers.
The Southland Conference title earns Augusta an automatic bid to the NCAA regionals. The selection show will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at 1 p.m. (EDT). It will air on the Golf Channel.
Leading the charge was Blanchard, who claimed the individual title in dominant fashion. A redshirt junior from Columbus, Blanchard shot rounds of 66, 67 and 67 to finish at 16 under par, winning medalist honors by four shots. His final round featured an eagle, three birdies and 14 pars. That topped off a bogey-free run over his final 40 holes.
Blanchard broke the Southland Conference individual scoring record with his 16-under-par score. It was also his best round as a collegian.
“What an unbelievable week,” Paine said of Blanchard. “Bo and I go back a long way from my playing days at Columbus State when he was just 10 years old. I got know the family really well during my time in Columbus and to see it go full circle like this is special.”
Pieter Rossouw Jr. also delivered his best performance of the season for the Jaguars, finishing tied for seventh at 7 under par. After a bogey on the second hole in the final round of the championship, Rossouw rebounded with two birdies. He then played his last 12 holes at even par.
Chapman Barnett and Stefan Jacobs also played well for Paine. Barnett posted his best round of the tournament with a 2-under-par 70, including four birdies and an eagle. Jacobs matched that 2-under-par mark, notching an eagle and three birdies to help seal the team victory.
Behn Heyns, the final Jaguar on the course, turned in a 77 to round out the team scorecard.
With their third straight conference title secured, Augusta now turns its attention to the NCAA selection show, where the Jaguars will find out where their postseason journey continues.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos-Avila at RBURGOSAVILA@augusta.edu.
The Jaguars won their third straight conference title after an outstanding final round at 10 under par. Now AU will play in the NCAA Division I regionals. The selection show is April 30 at 1 p.m. (EDT) on the Golf Channel. At the top of the page, Jaguar team leader Bo Blanchard II shows his form with a 3-iron. (photos by Ashley Monjaras and Melissa Villareal)
Augusta’s Bo Blanchard II captured medalist honors with a 16-under-par total that was four shots ahead of the field. (photo by Ashley Monjaras and Melissa Villareal)
