Hancock, Lindblad tie for fifth, UMO finishes third

GREENVILLE, S.C. – After registering its lowest round of the tournament, the University of Mount Olive men’s golf team jumped two positions in the standings to finish third at the Conference Carolinas Championship on April 25 at the Preserve at Verdae.

The Trojans delivered a 10-over 298 in the final round to place third in the team standings with a 41-over 905 (304-303-298). Mount Olive has recorded back-to-back third place finishes at the league championship. Barton captured the conference title for the first time since 2009, cruising to the championship by 17 strokes with a 20-over 844 (301-286-297). Erskine finished runner-up in the standings with a 37-over 901 (291-304-306).

Freshman Max Lindblad and senior Cade Hancock tied for fifth on the individual leaderboard with an eight-over 224 and both earned all-tournament honors following their performances at the three-day event. Lindblad climbed six spots in the final round after carding an even-par 72 with four birdies on Tuesday, including a pair of birdies on par fives. He tied for the team lead with nine birdies and 32 pars. Hancock leaped two positions on the final day after shooting a three-over 75 while converting four birdies on the back nine. He finished with nine birdies and 31 pars over 54 holes played.

Freshman Rasmus Ronnberg and sophomore Gabriel Ekholm tied for 16th overall in a field of 40 golfers. Ronnberg fired a one-over 73 during the final round after tallying two birdies on the last two holes while making 13 pars. He jumped eight slots on the individual leaderboard to finish with a 15-over 231 (81-77-73). Ekholm closed out the final day with a six-over 78 and registered a 15-over 231 (78-75-78). He carded two birdies before knocking down an eagle on the par-five 18th to finish his round.

Freshman Jonas Arnstrom Bakker rounded out the team scoring after carding a 15-over 87 in the final round to place 30th on the individual leaderboard.

Erskine freshman Tom Bastow led the event wire-to-wire to secure individual medalist honors by five strokes after firing a three-under 213 (67-71-75). He tied for the lead with 12 birdies while totaling 33 pars over three rounds.