Published: May 07, 2008 11:38 am         

PSC Wins Golf Title

Potomac State rolls to third Region golf title

HAGERSTOWN - The Potomac State College golf team won the Region XX championship Tuesday at Beaver Creek Country Club, allowing the Catamounts to qualify for the NJCAA Division II Golf Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. The Catamounts did it in dominating fashion in the event that began Monday and clinched the third region title in school history.

The Region XX title is the latest highlight in the Potomac State season, as the Catamounts won their third straight Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) crown to start the fall season, and then their first-ever PCAA state championship to round out the fall schedule. In the Spring, the Cats started the season with a win at the Fairmont State Invitational, the first ever NCAA Division II victory in school history,

As for the Region XX, the 36-hole event began Monday morning at Beaver Creek Country and the Catamounts stumbled out of the blocks early and posted an unimpressive 317 on the tough course. This score was led by eventual medalist Brendan Dillon with a one-over par 73. Following Dillon was Brian Affleck with a 79, and rounding out the first day scoring was Matt Pellillo at 82 and David Lang at 83. The 317 was the second-highest score of the year for the Catamounts, but placed them in a tie with Harford County Community College, who was led by Matt Dixon who was just two shots off the individual lead at 75. Individually, Caleb Hudlow of Hagerstown Community College also posted 75 and was tied for second place.

On Tuesday, the Catamounts came out with a vengeance and posted the second best score of the year and watched as Harford faded into the background of a dominating performance. On the day, the Catamounts posted a 303 and won going away by 39 shots. The second day was again led by a solid 73 from Dillon. Lang and Affleck also had great bounce-back performances with 75 and 76 respectively. Finishing out the scoring was Jeremy Thompson with a 79.

Harford posted a 342 on day two and had leading rounds from Matt Dixon, who posted 78 for a second place finish, and Chris Appell with an 80.

Dillon followed up the team honors and laid claim to medalist for the event while Affleck and Lang joined him on the all Region XX team. Overall, the Catamounts placed three players in the top four, and placed all five in the top 10.

"The team had something to prove on day two, and they did," said PSC coach Aaron Edwards. "We didn't play up to our potential on the first day and really put ourselves in a spot where we had a lot of work to do on day two, but overall we bounced back and showed everyone why we were the favorites to win the event."

Overall, the Catamounts will represent Region XX at the NJCAA national tournament with the team of Brendan Dillon, Brian Affleck, David Lang, Jeremy Thompson and Matt Pellillo. Region XX will also be represented by individual qualifiers Matt Dixon and Chris Appell from Harford, Caleb Hudlow from Hagerstown, and Ian Cuddahee and Bryant Khoo from Frederick.

The Catamounts finished the season with a spring NJCAA record of 21-1 and an overall season record of 86-1.

"The Region XX Championship was won by five golfers," said Edwards, "but this was a total team effort and all eight of our team members can lay claim to the great season we have had."