CONWAY, S.C. — Fresh off a fall season highlighted by a tournament victory and three top-four finishes, the Coastal Carolina men's golf team opens its spring schedule this week with a balanced roster of veteran experience and emerging talent as it prepares for a demanding stretch toward postseason play.
Coastal recorded three top-four finishes during the fall, placing third at the Highlands Invitational and tying for fourth at the Everett Buick GMC Classic, while also finishing fourth on its home course at Grande Dunes. The Chanticleers closed the fall with a team scoring average of 285.5 strokes per round and posted under-par team totals in three of four tournaments.
The Chanticleers' lineup is anchored by a veteran core that delivered consistent results throughout the fall.
Jack Lee led the way, capturing individual medalist honors at the Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Intercollegiate with a three-round total of 202 (-14), highlighted by rounds of 65 and 66 to open the event. Lee finished the fall with a 70.50 scoring average and recorded three top-10 finishes.
"We showed some really encouraging flashes in the fall," said Chanticleers head coach
Jacob Wilner. "Jack winning our home event was huge for our program, and finishing in the top four three times shows the level this group can play at. At the same time, I think our guys would be the first to tell you we left some shots out there."
Wilner believes that hunger will fuel Coastal's spring push.
"This team has a lot of firepower, and they know it," Wilner said. "There's a real edge to the way they're preparing right now. They're hungry to compete, hungry to improve, and hungry to prove what they're capable of this spring."
Max Bengtsson was equally steady, posting a team-best 70.33 scoring average while finishing in the top five twice, including a fourth-place showing at the West Bay Invitational. Bengtsson also logged 11 rounds at par or better during the fall, the most on the team.
Drew Sykes added depth and consistency, averaging 71.25 strokes per round and recording three top-10 finishes. His best performance came at the season-opening Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Intercollegiate, where he placed seventh at eight-under par.
Freshmen
Lucas Arntsen,
Harrison James and
Santiago Schele also gained valuable tournament experience during the fall. Arntsen posted a career-low round of 68, while Schele recorded a top-10 finish at the Highlands Invitational.
"This is probably the deepest team I've ever coached," Wilner said. "Every guy in our lineup is capable of stepping up at any time, and that internal competition has raised the standard across the board. Qualifying is competitive every week, and that's exactly what you want if you're trying to build a championship-level program."
The Chanticleers will open the spring portion of their schedule Feb. 2-3 at the Battle at Briar Creek in Johns Island, S.C., before traveling to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for The Hayt at TPC Sawgrass Country Club in early March.
Coastal will then host the Michael A. Marino Classic at Dunes Golf & Beach Club on March 17-19 before competing in the prestigious Hootie Intercollegiate at Bulls Bay Golf Club later that month. The regular season concludes with the Mossy Oak Collegiate in April, followed by the Sun Belt Conference Championship at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Miss.
