Grace College’s Parker Wilburn won a three-hole playoff to claim individual medalist at the NCCAA Men’s Golf National Championships. Photo courtesy the NCCAA

By Jeff Raymond
Grace College Sports Information

PALM COAST, Fla. – Sophomore Parker Wilburn entered the NCCAA National Championships just hoping to make an impact for the Lancers. He will leave the Hammock Beach Ocean Course as the NCCAA Individual National Champion. His effort helped Grace place fourth in the team competition, matching the all-time best finishes established in 2016 and 2019.

Wilburn arrived at the tournament averaging 80.8 per 18 holes in nine previous rounds this fall, with a low round of 76. At Hammock Beach he shot a three-round total of 223 for a 74.3 average, including a magnificent round of 69 on the opening day. The NCCAA title actually took three extra holes, as Wilburn was tied with Marcos de Ezcurra from Asbury University (Ky.) after 54 holes. Wilburn claimed the top spot by winning a three-hole playoff and became the first individual national champion for the men’s golf program.

“The performance by Parker was stunning, to say the least,” said Coach Denny Hepler. “He played the three-hole playoff perfectly, hitting every shot exactly how we wanted.”

As a team, the Lancers shot a 311 on the final round, the second best total of any team on Wednesday. That moved Grace from fifth place to fourth and earned the team a NCCAA trophy for the third time in school history.

Blake Lawson shot a 75 in the final round, his best score of the week. Noah Wright finished with a 77 and Chase Byron recorded a 79. Wilburn carded an 80, while Payton Kelly shot an 81.

“We were hoping for a better finish for the team, but fourth place isn’t bad,” commented Hepler. “These boys are now hungry for a victory the next time around. This was a tremendous experience for this group and provided some lifetime memories.”

Asbury claimed the team title with a total score of 918, followed by Cedarville University (Ohio) at 925 and Malone University (Ohio) at 931. Grace finished at 935.

For complete results, click HERE.

FINAL TEAM SCORES
1. Asbury – 918
2. Cedarville – 925
3. Malone – 931
4. GRACE – 935
5. Bob Jones – 942
6. Cambellsville-Harrodsville – 961
7. Bethel – 964
8. North Central – 988
9. Central Christian – 1007

Grace Women Finish Second To Bethel

Carolyn Pacocha became the first two-time NCCAA All-American and the Lancer team finished as the national runners-up at the NCCAA Golf Championships, played at the Hammock Beach Ocean Course in Palm Coast, Florida.

Pacocha, a junior, carded a three-day total of 243 to finish in fifth-place and match the NCCAA All-American recognition she earned in 2020.

In the team competition, the Lancers hoped to challenge for the top spot, but struggled in the third round and finished second to Bethel University (Ind.). Part of the final-day struggles belonged to Sloane Winders, who was forced to withdraw midway through the round because of an injury. She was in position for a top-10 finish prior to Wednesday’s round.

Summer Stillson led the squad on the final day, shooting an 80. Rebecca Hawes finished with an 86, while Pacocha shot 88. Grace May completed the scoring with a 93.

“We feel blessed to have enjoyed the opportunity to compete in this amazing event,” said Coach Denny Duncan. “We liked our chances to win, so are naturally disappointed. A few things didn’t go our way, but that’s golf. We are excited to see what the spring season will bring.”

After Bethel and Grace, third place went to Oakland City University (Ind.) and fourth to Central Christian College (Kan.).

For complete results, click HERE.

FINAL TEAM SCORES
1. Bethel – 958
2. GRACE – 1002
3. Oakland City – 1054
4. Central Christian – 1070
5. Judson -1088
6. Trinity Christian – 1129