Rhode Island Colleges wins Second Straight GNAC Golf Championship

Sutton, Mass.-The Rhode Island College men's golf team captured the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship with a score of 639 (316, 323; +63) after the second round played at Blackstone National Golf Club on Sunday afternoon.

The Anchormen win the title for the second consecutive season and secured a berth in the 2013 NCAA Div. III Men's Golf Championships, which will be held in May of 2013.

RIC held a seven-stroke lead over Southern Maine after the first round and increased their advantage to eight strokes, 647 (323, 324; +71) in the final standings. UMass Dartmouth placed third with a score of 655 (323, 332; +79).

USM senior captain Josh Hogan (Falmouth, Maine) earned the individual medalist honors with a two-day 154 (78-76).  The senior finished 10-over par after two rounds on the par-72, 6655 Blackstone National Course.  Hogan was in sixth place following the opening round of the championship, shooting a 78 (39-39) before firing a tournament low 76 on the second day to earn individual medalist honors.

RIC freshman Jonathan Cooper (Berkley, MA) placed second among a field of 45 golfers with a two-day score of 156 (77, 79; +12). He was named the 2012 GNAC Rookie of the Year and earned All-GNAC honors. RIC sophomore Ryan Butler (Windham, NH), who was the 2011 GNAC Player and Rookie of the Year, earned All-GNAC honors once again this season by placing third with a score of 158 (76, 82; +14). Senior Kyle Harper (Rehoboth, MA), who came into today's action tied for 13th, finished fifth overall and attained All-GNAC status with a score of 161 (83, 78; +17).

Johnson & Wales University finished fourth in the team standings with a 658 led by junior Sam Parella's  (Douglas, Mass.) 159 (77-83) fourth place finish while Suffolk University was just one stroke behind in fifth with a 659.

Saint Joseph's College (ME) placed sixth in the event with a 680 while Emmanuel College carded a 702 for seventh. Rounding out the teams that placed was Worcester State University with a 725 while Anna Maria was unable to submit a final score after only three competitors finished their day-one rounds.

"Gene St. Pierre, my assistant, and I could not be prouder of the team," RIC Head Coach Greg Gammell said. "Ryan Butler played great trying to defend his individual title and finishing in third. Jonathan Cooper played great in his first championship by finishing second. It is great to have a freshman play so consistently under the pressure of playing with four teammates who have done it before."

In upcoming action, several GNAC teams will compete at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championships, played at the Captains Course in Brewster, Mass. on Oct. 28-29

*Release content provided courtesy of RIC Sports Information Dept.