Bethune-Cookman, Texas-Pan American win

By foxsports
Published

Bethune-Cookman's Matthew McKnight shot a 1-under 71 on Sunday to win the Division I individual title and help the Wildcats take the team crown in the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at PGA Golf Club.

Bethune-Cookman beat Texas-Pan American by 12 strokes.

''We have put a lot of hard work in this year and it paid off at our favorite event of the year,'' first-year coach Scooter Clark said. ''These tournaments are always a grind and it was good to pull it out in the end.''

McKnight finished at 1-under 215.

''We kicked it into gear today and it feels so good to win this title,'' McKnight said. ''I was able to keep my game steady all week and to do this for my team makes it that much more special.''

Texas-Pan American won the women's title, beating Hampton by two strokes.

Haley Hocott shot her second straight 75 to lead the Broncs.

''My girls played so well and this championship was in the balance all weekend,'' coach Ofelia Lopez said. ''I told my girls not to try and be heroes and they played as a team all week. For them to all break 80 the last two rounds, speaks volumes about our team.''

Bethune-Cookman's Kim Wong was the medalist in the women's team division.

In the women's independent division, Towson's Airielle Dawson easily won the title, closing with an even-par 72 for a 4-over 220 total and a seven-stroke victory.

''My birdie putts were not falling but my par putts were, which was extremely important,'' said Dawson, who earned a waiver-fee exemption into the first stage of LPGA Qualifying School. ''This tournament is one of a kind and to come through in this big spot is really satisfying.''

In the Division II men's competition, Virginia State beat Lincoln by seven strokes.

Fayetteville State's John Cole was the medalist, closing with a 71 to finish at 4 over.

Central Florida's Amit Odaiyar won the independent division for the second straight year. He finished with a 77 for a 3-over 219 total.

''I played well enough over the first two days to make up for a few struggles today,'' Odaiyar said.