May 4, 2011
Final Stats
HERSHEY, PA -- So close.
Fayetteville State golfer John Michael Cole narrowly missed qualifying for a spot in the NCAA Division-II Golf Championships following the final round of the D-II Atlantic/East Regional on Wednesday at the Hershey Golf Links.
Cole, a freshman from Fayetteville, finished the tournament at 2-over-par 218 following a third-round 76 to finish in a tie for seventh overall. Cole, who played as an individual, needed to place among the top two individuals not associated with one of the top-5 teams from the regional.
Cole, however, is an alternate for the national championship.
He came agonizingly close, but the regional's winner, Clarion's Jared Schmader (67-74-71-212, 4 under), and Gannon's Drew Deimel (71-69-75-215, 1 under) made the cut. Cole was next in line, but finished as the odd man out.
"It's a little disappointing to come this close and not make it," he said following his round on the 6,837-yard course, "but it's OK."
Cole, who was originally scheduled to tee of at 7:40 a.m., had his tee time moved to 12:30 p.m. following a rain storm. By that time, the wind had picked up significantly, and playing conditions were the toughest of the week.
There were just four rounds under par among 108 players on Wednesday. St. Thomas Aquinas, which won the team tournament, shot 10-over-par as a group on Wednesday; in Monday's first round, the team shot 4 under as a group.
"I really never expected to be so close to the lead after the first two days," Cole said. "But I just had a couple of things not go my way (on Wednesday)."
Cole struggled a bit, making five bogeys to go with one birdie. But he minimized the damage, and for his efforts finished in the top of a tournament for the eighth time this season. Cole finishes has won three times to go with six top 5s.
"It's really been a great year," he said. "The year has definitely been a success."
The season is not quite over yet for the Broncos, who will take part in this weekend's PGA Minority Collegiate Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
For a look at the final leaderboard, go here.
