GREENSBORO, N.C. – Led by tournament medalist Anthony Maccaglia, top-ranked Oglethorpe University led wire-to-wire and won the Tournament Town Preview Golf Championship Monday at Grandover Resort. Maccaglia shot 68-67-75-210 (-6) for the win and helped the Petrels to a nine-stroke victory over Wittenberg University and Illinois Wesleyan University in the 18-team field.
Co-sponsored by the Greensboro Sports Commission and Guilford College, the event previewed the site of the 2015 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships, to be held at Grandover May 12-15. The Preview’s field consisted of 18 schools, including 11 ranked among the top-23 units in the Golf Coaches’ Association of America (GCAA) Pre-Season Division III Poll. Oglethorpe was ranked first in the poll.
After playing Grandover’s East and West Courses Sunday, the teams contested final round on the par-72, 7,100-yard East Course Monday. They enjoyed excellent weather conditions with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s.
Maccaglia, a three-time PING NCAA Division III All-American, started the day nine-under-par after Sunday’s 36 holes and shot 75 Monday. His four-stroke lead over LaGrange College’s Osborn Theam was not in jeopardy and Theam also carded a three-over 75 Monday and placed third at 69-70-75-214. Methodist University’s Jeff Wells shot even par Monday and edged Theam for runner-up honors with a 71-70-72-213.
Oglethorpe’s David Kleckner posted the Stormy Petrels’ low round Monday, a two-under 70. He placed fourth in the 90-man field at 72-74-70-216, one shot better than Wittenberg’s Alex Andrews (71=71-75-217) and Trinity University’s Diego Trevino (75-74-68-217), who had Monday’s low score.
Wittenberg, ranked sixth in the GCAA’s Pre-Season Poll, shot Monday’s second-lowest team score and caught up with defending tournament champion Illinois Wesleyan (296-284-302-882) to share second place. The Tigers shot 294-289-299-882 and claimed the runner-up trophy.
Tournament co-host Guilford College finished sixth after shooting 300-291-305-896. Sophomore Tanner Gross (Archdale, N.C./Homeschooled) paced the Quakers with a share of eighth place at 73-72-74-219. Teammate Drew Thompson was 12th individually at 70-75-78-221.
Coach Justin Tereshko’s team returns to action Sept. 29-30 at the Gordin Classic in Columbus, Ohio.