Albany Herald

GSW's J.P. Griffin, Nate Gahman and Craig Gibson finished in the Top 10 of their fall season finale Tuesday.

HAMPTON -- The Georgia Southwestern men's golf team finished its fall schedule Tuesday with a second-place finish out of nine teams at the three-round, two-day Laker Collegiate Invitational hosted by Clayton State University.

Individually, junior J.P. Griffin, junior Nate Gahman -- a Leesburg native and former Herald Player of the Year -- and senior Craig Gibson tied for sixth place in the 48-player field after each fired a 2-over par 218 at the par-72, 7202-yard Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club.

The Hurricanes stumbled out of the gate early in Hampton with a 304 first round Monday morning, but responded well in the afternoon with a 287. GSW jumped from a sixth-place tie to second place by the end of the first day.

On Tuesday, GSW was unable to gain ground on the leader, UNC Pembroke, but distanced itself from the rest of the field for a firm second.

Griffin and Gahman saved their best golf for Tuesday's round combining to shoot 6-under. Gibson came in with a 74 during his final 18 holes.

All three of GSW's top golfers played the par 5s well in the tourney, with Gahman shooting 5-under to lead the group and rank second in the tournament. Gibson and Griffin were a stroke behind at 4-under.

Senior Chris Hall tied for 20th place overall with a 226 (77-72-77) and sophomore Patrick Hall carded a 244 (79-81-84).

GSW finished 16 strokes behind UNCP while holding an 8-stroke advantage over third place University of West Georgia and Coker College.

GSW, which is enjoying its best season since joining Division II in 2006, had two eagles (Gahman and Gibson).

The Hurricanes won three tourneys this fall season and placed second once and fourth in another. They will resume play in February when the spring schedule opens with the Frito Lay AT&T Intercollegiate Feb. 17 in Philadelphia, Miss.