DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. - Appalachian State University men's golf challenges 10 other teams from the league at this week's Southern Conference Tournament on Daniel Island, S.C.'s Ralston Creek Course on April 15-17. It is the 76th annual event, but the first time it will be held at this course.
The SoCon Tournament comes at the right time for ASU, as head coach Bill Dicus' squad posted impressive results in March and early April, including the team title at the Harmony Spring Break Match Play event. Josh Nichols and Dustin Hudson swept the top two places, respectively, in the qualifying round before the Apps swept the match play final round.
The Mountaineers return four of last year's SoCon Tourney participants and look to improve on last year's 10th-place finish. Sophomore transfer John Michael Cole replaces departed senior Colin Hobbs on this season's championship roster. Hudson placed 14th last season and was followed closely by Nichols in a tie for 15th.
Appalachian ranks fifth in the league with a 73.87 team stroke average and is one of just three teams to claim a victory on the season. Sophomore Casey Komline ranks eighth in the SoCon with a 73.6 stroke average.
Below is a look at ASU's lineup for the tourney.
John Michael Cole • Sophomore • Fayetteville, N.C.
2011-12 Stroke Average: 75.18 • Low Round: 68
In his first season at ASU after transferring from Fayetteville State, the sophomore has notched three top-15 finishes, including ninth at the Harmony Spring Break Match Play event. He led ASU to a fifth-place finish at the Stetson/CFSC Invitational by firing a 224 (+8) for 10th-place. He tied for 11th place and helped Appalachian to the team title at the Hummingbird Intercollegiate, including his season-low 68 in the second round. Cole ranks sixth on the team in stroke average and has led ASU in two of his seven competitions on the year.
Darren Cook • Senior • Boone, N.C.
2011-12 Stroke Average: 76.00 • Low Round: 70
The senior has come on strong this spring and led ASU at last week's Coca-Cola Wofford Invitational with a pair of 70s. The rounds marked a season low and helped him to 25th place at the large tournament. The local product placed 12th at the Harmony Spring Break Match Play tournament after shooting a 71 in the opening round. He was second on the squad at the Stetson/CFSC Invitational with a 226 (+10). In last year's SoCon Tournament, he placed 47th at 230 (+14).
Dustin Hudson • Graduate Student • Hildebran, N.C.
2011-12 Stroke Average: 74.35 • Low Round: 67
The elder statesman of the squad ranks fourth on the team in stroke average and has picked up three top-15 finishes this season, including second place at the Harmony Spring Break Match Play Tournament. His low round of the year is a 67, set in the third round of the Bash at the Beach, there he tied for 40th. His most recent round was a 69 at the Wofford Coca-Cola Invitational, where he placed second on the team at 222 (+6). In last year's SoCon Tourney, Hudson led ASU and finished 14th with a solid 218 (+2) over three rounds. In 2009, he tied for 32nd at the championship and in 2010 he finished 31st.
Casey Komline • Sophomore • Dorset, Vt.
2011-12 Stroke Average: 73.60 • Low Round: 65
Komline leads ASU this season in stroke average, and his 65 in the second round at the Hummingbird Intercollegiate sealed up an Appalachian win, third place for the individual and tied a program record for 18 holes. He has been solid throughout the season with three top-five finishes. He has led ASU in three of his eight appearances and ranks eighth in the league. He is less than half a stroke per round shy of fifth place in the SoCon. As a freshman last season, Komline carded a 234 (+18) at the SoCon Tournament to place 52nd. He has lowered his stroke average by more than two per round from his rookie campaign to this year.
Josh Nichols • Junior • Kernersville, N.C.
2011-12 Stroke Average: 73.75 • Low Round: 67
ASU's career leader in stroke average, the junior has put together yet another solid season as he ranks second on the squad and 11th in the league in scoring average. He led the Apps in scoring in three tournaments and came away with a win at the Harmony Spring Break Match play event last month. His low round of the season was a 67 at ASU's Donald Ross Intercollegiate. He made his first trip to the Southern Conference Tournament last season, where he tied for 15th place at 219 (+3). His opening-round 70 at the event placed him as high as fourth place.
The tourmament begins Sunday at 8 a.m. Click the lnk above for live scoring.
