Mercer with Momentum entering Men’s Golf Atlantic Sun Tournament

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor of The Bear Zone/ Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

Coming off the best regular season play in Mercer men’s golf history, the Bears look to perform well in one final tournament this season, the Atlantic Sun Tournament, in order to reach the NCAA Regional Tournament held in early May.

Andrew Tredway’s club is coming off a disappointing eleventh place finish at the competitive 63^rd Annual Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, California, but senior Bill Jones III is playing the best golf of his career, earning the A-Sun Golfer of the Month award in March.  Jones has three top ten finishes this spring, almost winning the Linger Longer Invitational Tournament three weeks ago that featured the nation’s top two teams (#1 Georgia and #2 Oklahoma State). 

“Bill being named A-Sun Player of the Month is a tremendous honor to him and our golf program,” said head coach Andrew Tredway on MercerBears.com.  He added, “He went  on an exceptional run in March highlighted by his second place finish at the Linger Longer.  I’m really happy for him and am thankful to the A-Sun for taking notice.”

The Bears have taken many by surprise this season with top finishes in highly regarded tournaments featuring the best collegiate golf teams.  Still, despite the outstanding play from the Bears, they’re still looking for an elusive tournament victory.  A third place finish at the Mardi Gras Invitational and a fourth place finish at the Linger Longer Invitational gives Mercer momentum entering the A-Sun Tournament to be held in Buies Creek, North Carolina on April 20-22. 

Currently, the Bears are 83^rd in the most recent Golfstat.com rankings.  In order to win the conference title, they’ll have to battle several tough clubs including ETSU (28^th), North Florida (84^th), and Campbell (118^th).  While the Bears will certainly count on Jones, they’ll have to rely on their other experienced players, Ryan Blackburn and Matt Tribby.  Blackburn and Tribby have had a consistent spring season, but will need to play their best golf for Mercer to win the A-Sun title. 

Don’t forget about the freshman duo that surprised the golf scene during the fall.  Devin Patel and Andres Pumariega have struggled a bit in the past few tournaments, especially at the Western Intercollegiate, but their futures are certainly very bright. 

While it’s unlikely that more than one team will emerge from the Atlantic Sun to the NCAA Regionals held in Galloway, New Jersey, the Bears hope to play their best golf in Buies Creek en route to a first-ever NCAA postseason appearance.  

Photo Courtesy of Robert Matre Photography