19th National Minority College Golf Championship
Tenn. St., Lincoln take golf titles

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Tennessee State dominated with a record Championship team total of 24-under-par 840 on Sunday at the 19th National Minority College Golf Championship to win the Division I standings at PGA Golf Club.

"I am definitely proud of our team as they have played outstanding throughout the week," said Dr. Catana Starks, the Tennessee State head coach who is retiring after 18 years. "The competition has drastically increased this year and the Championship is spectacular as it recognizes the golf program's at black and minority colleges across the country."

Johnson & Wales University, the defending champions, finished in second place with a team total of 5-under-par 859, while Bethune-Cookman finished in third place with an 866.

TSU senior Robert Dinwiddie of won the Division I medalist honors by carding a 2-under-par 70 for a three-day total of 13-under-par 203. Teammate Phillip Watkins and James Renner of Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Fla., finished in a second-place tie, five strokes behind Dinwiddie.

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., held onto its lead to capture the Division II standings with a team-total of 928. Fayetteville State finished a mere two strokes behind in second place and Benedict finished in third place with a 952.

After starting the final round in third place, junior John Azzarelli of Fayetteville State won the Division II medalist honors by posting a final-round score of 2-under-par 70 for a Championship total of 4-over-par 220. Adam Hoffman of Lincoln finished second, one stroke behind Azzarelli.

The University of Texas-Pan American of Edinburg, took home the Women's Division title for the third consecutive year after firing a three-day Championship-record team total of 912, which breaks the previous record of 932 set in 2000 by Bethune-Cookman. Stefanie Maynard, two-time defending NMCGC Champion, led the Lady Broncs and was awarded the individual medalist with an impressive 56-hole score of 1-over-par 217.

Sophomore Sharah Davis of Hampton recaptured the Women's Independent Division with a three-day total of 237.

Approximately 100 contestants from 21 colleges and universities, representing 11 countries, comprised the field for the 19th National Minority College Golf Championship. The National Minority College Golf Championship is co-sponsored by The PGA of America and the National Minority College Golf Scholarship Fund of Cleveland, Ohio.

© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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