Mason Coulston advances to nationals with round of 70 and runner-up finish!
The SSC men’s golf team competed in the NJCAA regional this week at Eagle’s Bluff CC, near Tyler, TX. Both Coulston and Bryson Terry positioned themselves through the first 36 holes to advance to nationals…… During the 10 hours of continuous play on Monday Coulston recorded rounds of 80 and 75 while Terry posted 79 and 76. Terry fought hard on day 2, but fell a little short finishing 15thoverall and 2nd alternate to advance to nationals. He finished with 238.
Coulston, however put his foot on the gas on day 2 and lapped all ahead of him on the leaderboard but one. His ball striking was on point, hitting 14 greens in regulation, and carding 5 birdies. Mason knocked his 2nd shot on the front of the green of the par-5 12th, just missing his eagle putt and posting birdie. From there it was a run at the tournament leaders. He would go on to birdie 2 of the next 4 holes and improve his day’s round to 2 under through 16. He played 2 solid shots to the tough 17th and walked away with par, now a 69 in sights. His drive was center cut on 18 and his approach shot just missed the green on 18, needing an up and down for -2. He chipped to about 4 feet and then lipped the putt to post 70. Little did Coulston know at the time with the leaders well behind him, that his par putt would have got him in a tie and playoff to win the championship. That putt that was part way in the hole on 18 would have been for 69 and a share of the lead. As the finishing players succumbed to pressure and dropped Coulston’s name shot up the leaderboard. His final round 70 was the only sub-par round of the 84 tournament rounds played this week. It got him a total of 225, earning him runner-up and all-tournament team accolades. It also earned him a spot in the national championship in roughly 2 weeks. Congrats Mason….. Best wishes in Indiana.
Rounding out the event for the Trojans were Hayden Hopper with 246 and Jace Weatherly with 267.