Last fall, the Georgia Northwestern Bobcats golf team held the 27-hole lead at the USCAA National Championships at Penn State University.
However, the Navy-and-Silver was not able to hang on to the lead over the final nine holes and the Bobcats had to settle for a disappointing fourth-place finish.
That disappointment has served as motivation over the past 10 months and this past Friday, they finally got to take out a little frustration - and set a program-record in the process.
The Bobcats turned in the lowest two rounds in program history, following up a morning-round 288 with an afternoon total of 289 to beat visiting Cleveland (Tenn.) State by 42 strokes in a 36-hole match at the LaFayette Golf Course.
Sophomore team captain Cole Roberts blistered the LaFayette layout with a 6-under par 66 and added a solid 1-under 71 later in the day to shoot a two-round total of 137.
Sophomore Lane Strickland followed up a morning-round 74 with a 69 in the afternoon to finish at 143.
Freshman Noah Hankins (148) carded back-to-back 74's, freshman Spencer Alexander (149) had a 74 and a 75, while freshman Ryan Redd (151) went 76-75.
Colbe Cagle led the Cougars with a 149 (73-76). Cleveland State had rounds of 311 and 308 to finish with a total of 619.
"These guys have worked so hard and I'm very excited about this team," Bobcats head coach Eddie Jackson said. "These guys are consistently good and this team has a shot at doing something special. They proved that again today."
Up next for the Bobcats is a match at Dogwood Hills Golf Club in Flat Rock, Ala. this Friday against Northeast Alabama Community College.