LOXLEY — The No. 1-ranked Alabama men’s golf team captured the team title at the Steelwood Collegiate on Sunday, holding on for a one-stroke win over Kennesaw State. The Crimson Tide closed the two-day, 54-hole event with a team total of 2-over par 866 (280-293-293) in its final tournament of the fall season.
“It was great for us to play in Mobile and the southern part of the state,” Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. “We had a lot of people come out to support us, which was great to see. Steelwood was a tremendous host and we were honored to play in the tournament.
“I was proud of our guys. There was a lot of adversity with the weather and, when you’re at the top you have a lot of teams gunning after you, so there’s a lot of pressure that comes with it. I thought it affected us a little, but we’ll learn from that. That said, when it became clutch time, we played winning golf. I am really proud of how we finished. I don’t care if you win by 20 strokes or just one stroke, it always feels good to win.”
The Tide held on despite a late charge from Kennesaw State (867). Tournament host South Alabama (879) was the next closest finisher, followed by No. 8 Kentucky (881) and Rice (887) to round out the top five teams.
With its victory on Sunday, the Crimson Tide finished the fall season with a record of 48-1-1. Alabama claimed a share of the Capital Collegiate to open the season and won the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in addition to Sunday’s victory. The lone loss of the fall came to No. 2 Texas A&M, as the Tide finished runners-up at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational. Furthermore, Alabama’s three wins during the fall season were the most since it claimed four titles in four tournaments in the fall of 2013.
The Crimson Tide will next compete when it opens the spring season at the Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 18-20 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
