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Watson goes into final round 37th

Junior Mark Watson was the only SCIAC player to qualify for the individual competition of the Division III National Championships in Westerville, Ohio. / photo by Starr Carroll
Junior Mark Watson was the only SCIAC player to qualify for the individual competition of the Division III National Championships in Westerville, Ohio. / photo by Starr Carroll

by Greg MacDonald
Staff Writer

After three rounds at the Division III National Golf Championships, junior Mark Watson, a member of the University of La Verne golf team, is in 37th place.

The final round of the tournament is today in Westerville, Ohio, at the Medallion Club, a course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Yesterday, Watson shot a third round 87. After playing 54 holes so far in the tournament, Watson has shot a total of 236, 14 strokes behind the leader.

Watson and the others have had to contend with bad weather. High winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour have affected play throughout the tournament. Temperatures reached the mid-50s.

Watson opened the tournament, hosted by Otterbein College, shooting a first round 76 and was tied for 29th place. There are 120 individuals competing and Watson was seven strokes behind the leader.

On Wednesday, he moved up to be part of a four-way tie for 16th with a 73 and a two-day total of 149. His 73 was seven strokes behind the leader and he is nine strokes behind overall.

Watson earned his way to the tournament as the unanimous winner and only golfer nominated for the Player of the Year in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).

Watson was one of five players throughout the nation selected from the Division III western region.

“He is a very mature player and is certainly competitive,” said head golf coach Rex Huigens. “He keeps his focus so well and has the skills to think his way around the golf course.”

The selection guarantees Watson no less than an honorable mention all-American award. But if Watson can finish in the top 18 in the championships, he can improve to third, second or first team all-American.

“It is a great honor to be chosen, and he will get great experience,” said Huigens.

Watson finished the season with a 75.7 average and was the league champion in the SCIAC tournament at Brookside Country Club two weeks ago.

Greg MacDonald, Editor in Chief
Greg MacDonald
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Starr Carroll, Photography Editor
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