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Darton’s Gunn adjusts to new role

• Chesley Gunn was the No. 5 golfer when Darton College won its third consecutive NJCAA Division II title last spring, but during Monday and Tuesday’s region tourney in Helen, Gunn now will be the Cavaliers’ top seed.

Scott Chancey

ALBANY — Darton College golfer Chesley Gunn knows he can play with the best of them.

He finished 19th in the 2006 Georgia Amateur Championship and Gunn even earned medalist honors last fall in a tournament hosted by Abraham Baldwin.

“Anytime you play good in those types of settings, you build the confidence, knowing you can do it,” Gunn said.

Being the three-time defending NJCAA Division II champions’ top seed for Monday and Tuesday’s Region XVII tournament in Helen, Gunn — ranked 18th in the country — finds himself in a much different situation from last year when he played at No. 5.

“Last year, my job was not to shoot over 74,” said Gunn, whose team will attempt to win its seventh region title in a row. “I have to be a little more aggressive this time.”

That in itself presents a dilemma for Gunn. During the Cavaliers’ run to their third consecutive national crown in Scottsboro, Ala., last spring, his score as the fifth-seeded player stayed in the mid-70’s until he carded a 1-over-par 73 the final day. While a low score is typically expected from a team’s top-seeded golfer, Gunn has to find a balance between being more aggressive and putting too much pressure on himself.

“He was a role player and now, with a different makeup on the team, he’s got to be one of the leaders,” Cavaliers coach Dale Dover said. “He’s become a more mature player now. He knows what he needs to do, it’s just a matter of him going out and doing it.”

Coleman Calhoun, who was a First-Team All-American last year, was at first expected to be the top seed this season but inconsistency has him playing fourth. Matt Smith, who won the team’s final regular-season match at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, will play second and Jin Chung — ranked seventh in the country — will play third.

Ex-Tift County standout Evan Hanna will be the No. 5 golfer this time, and Andy Lewis is the alternate.

Gunn, who was started at No. 1 in the Cavaliers’ Stonebridge tournament, struggled with his first-round putting and posted scores of 74 and 73. He beat teammate Hanna, however, in a playoff hole for fifth place and the final spot on the All-Tournament team.

While playing a practice round Friday at Doublegate Country Club, Gunn felt a lot better about his performance on the greens.

“I’m making putts,” he said confidently.

Gunn has shown in the past potential for going under par. During the fall match Gunn earned medalist honors in, he posted consecutive rounds of 71. In Friday’s practice round at Doublegate, he posted his lowest score yet — a 66 that was finished off by holing out from 150 yards for eagle on the par-4 18th.

For Gunn, however, his biggest test yet lay ahead Monday and Tuesday.

“The biggest thing I have right now is confidence,” Gunn said. “I’m hitting the ball more consistently. Hopefully, I can keep on playing better.”

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