Newcomb Scores Ace in OVC Men's Championship Victory

Sunday, April 20

Paducah, Ky.

Murray State

Ohio Valley Conference Tournament

4/22/2008 3:00:00 PM | Men's Golf

Murray State's Nick Newcomb didn't know it, but his tee shot at the second hole of Tuesday's final round of the Ohio Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship was a stroke of genius. Playing the par-3 185 yard hole, Newcomb hit what he described as a “knock down five iron,” and it went into the hole on the fly for his first career hole-in-one in tournament play.

Newcomb's ace propelled him to a final round two-under 70 and a total score of 216 and a one shot victory over OVC Golfer of the Year Phil Hendrickson.

“When that shot went in, I just tried to keep my cool because we still had a lot of golf left to play,” Newcomb said. “But after that, I didn't hold anything back the rest of the day. I had to try and make something happen, I was able to play well and only had one bogey the rest of the round.”

Newcomb took the lead for good when he made birdie at the 17^th hole, he made a routine two-putt par at the 18^th to take the OVC title.

As a team, the Racers finished second in the OVC final to Eastern Kentucky. If the Racers couldn't win the team title, the medalist championship for Nick Newcomb was the next best thing for MSU Head Coach Eddie Hunt.

“When Nick came here last fall his goal was to win the OVC Championship,” Hunt said. “I'm happy to see him do it, and to do it against the best player in the league, that's impressive.”

In a neat twist of irony, Newcomb is the first MSU player to win the OVC title since Brandon Henson did it for the Racers in 2001. Henson, Newcomb's first cousin walked along the same track at the Country Club of Paducah, Ky. today where he won the title seven years ago.

Newcomb's scores in the event were 75-71-70=216.

Newcomb, who is a native of Benton, Ky. had plenty of family and friends lending support all day long.

“It was huge to have all the family and friends there today,” Newcomb said. “My whole family was there and I have a bunch of friends who took off work to come and support me. Some of our Murray State teammates came out and it was just an awesome situation to be in.”

As mentioned, MSU finished second to Eastern Kentucky 874 to 893. After falling prey to a hot EKU in day one when they fell behind by 17 shots, the Racers and finished the event with scores of 305-301-287=893. Their 287 was the best score of the final round.

“We couldn't overcome the first round deficit,” Hunt said. “I thought we'd have a good shot at EKU when we started, but they played a great first round and we just couldn't catch them.”

Hunt also had parting praises for MSU's lone senior Jerry Price.

“Jerry shot a 69 in his final collegiate round of golf,” Hunt said. “I'm extremely proud of him.”

Price's 69 landed him in ninth place in the field of 50 competitors.

OVC Freshman of the Year Cameron Carrico shot a 72 in the final round and finished seventh. MSU players Jared Wolfe and Mitchell Moore finished 21^st and 33^rd.

finish top 20 schools scores

1 Eastern Kentucky U. 288 292 294 874 +10

2 Murray State Univ. 305 301 287 893 +29

3 Austin Peay State U. 310 303 296 909 +45

4 Jacksonville St. 315 316 287 918 +54

5 Tennessee Tech U. 308 311 303 922 +58

6 Tennessee-Martin 313 314 299 926 +62

T7 Samford University 315 305 314 934 +70

T7 Eastern Illinois U. 318 305 311 934 +70

9 Tennessee State U. 325 317 315 957 +93

10 Morehead State Univ 333 329 314 976 +112

finish top 20 players school scores