Chaminade University takes men’s Division II; Shoemaker claims men’s Individual crown
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida 一 All the Florida A&M University men’s golf team wanted was a chance. A chance to be in contention and compete for a trophy during the final round of the 2024 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship presented by Chase, Kohler and ADT.
The Rattlers (27-over) earned their chance and finished the job, recording a wire-to-wire victory as the Men’s Division I Champions. They combined to shoot a 13-over par 301 on TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium course to win by 29.
Alabama State University (56-over) finished runner up and North Carolina A&T State University (74-over) claimed third place.
“It’s been 24 years since we’ve won this event,” said FAMU coach Mike Rice. “I remember that because I was on the team that won the event in 2000. To bring this to these guys and for them to be able to enjoy this is amazing.”
FAMU senior Marcus Taylor clinched the Men’s Division I medalist honors behind a three-day score of 2-over-par 218. He posted 1-under-par 71 in the final round for a five stroke victory.
“I’m really stoked with the win, as an individual and as a team,” said Taylor. “I didn’t have much preparation coming into this, I was packed with academics, taking 19 credits this semester. Graduation was my main focus so I had no expectations coming into this event, so yeah I’m excited.”
With four birdies on the card in his final round, how he finished on the famed 17th and 18th holes on the Stadium course made the difference for Taylor.
“My birdie on 17, I stood over that ball on the tee and didn’t feel nervous to be honest with you, but when I got to the putt I thought ‘send me out the right way and make this putt.’ I was really stoked about that. On 18, driver is the best club in my bag and I absolutely laced it about 350 yards. I had 55 yards in.”
Rattlers graduate student Patrick Mwendapole (7-over) shot a final-round 6-over 78 to finish runner-up while second round leader Taylor Bell (10-over) shot an 11-over 83. Graduate student Patrick Jean-Pierre (15-over) finished with a 4-over 76 and senior Miles Taylor (18-over) came in with his low round of the week at 4-over 76.
Chaminade University of Honolulu (67-over) traveled the furthest to compete in the PWCC, they also came from behind to win the Men’s Division II Championship by a mere one stroke over first and second round leader Lincoln University of Missouri (68-over).
“It’s like a dream,” said Chaminade Head Coach Renee Yuen. “First of all, getting here to this tournament, this venue was something that when I heard about it, I said I want to bring the team. To come here, to play, struggle through it and then to win by one stroke, I’m so happy and proud of the guys.”
With a final round team score of 25-over 313, Lincoln University of Missouri was runner up at 68-over 932. Bluefield State University (70-over) took third following a 25-over 313.
Chaminade sophomore Ethan Alexander, who finished runner up in the medalist competition, recorded his team’s low round of the day with a 1-under-par 71.
“It’s hard to really believe,” said Alexander. “It hasn’t really hit yet. I was out there and didn’t want to look at the leaderboard the whole day. I was playing well on the front nine. I was trying to keep everything in front of me.”
Lincoln University of Missouri senior Austin Shoemaker (4-over) went wire-to-wire to win the Men’s Division II Medalist honors.
Making the turn on the Valley course at even for the day, Shoemaker’s round turned turbulent with a double on the par-4 11th hole. He followed it with a birdie on the par-3 14th and back-to-back bogeys on 15-16. A birdie on the par-5 4th hole was enough for a two stroke victory over Chaminade’s Alexander.
University of Michigan junior Yuqi Liu (3-under) claimed the Men’s Individual Championship title with a final round 2-under-par 70.
Liu started the final round with a birdie on the par-3 3rd hole to make the turn at 1-under on the day and then proceeded to birdie holes 10-13. He found trouble on 14 and made double bogey and followed it with another bogey on 15, but a two putt birdie on the par-5 16th was enough to keep his one stroke lead and win.
“The drive on 16 was tough because I don’t really hit a draw with my driver,” said Liu. “It was into the wind off the left so I just picked a good start line and hit a great shot in the fairway.
“It was a really tough second shot. I had about 230 to the pin and I went for it. It wasn’t easy but I always believe in myself. I knew I could pull it off and I did.”
University of North Alabama’s sophomore Eric Luo (2-under) carded a bogey-free 3-under-par 69 for his low round of the championship to finish runner-up. Purdue University sophomore Kentaro Nanayama (1-under) finished third.
For more information on the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, visit www.PGAWORKSCollegiate.org.
