Jacksonville, NC — Fayetteville State University dominated all three rounds of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Golf Championship with a 54-hole total of 873 (+9) at the Jacksonville Country Club to claim its first title since 2012. FSU's freshman Caden Hodges swept through all of the individual honors claiming the Championship's Low Medalist Award, the Golfer of the Year, and the Rookie of the Year Awards. The Broncos' John Cole was voted the Coach of the Year by the CIAA Golf Coaches' and Sports Information Director's Associations.
Gallery: (4-18-2023) CIAA Golf Awards
Fayetteville State closed out the final round of 18 holes with a two-over par 290 to secure the title. The Broncos shot a 295 in the opening round, followed by a 288 on the first day of competition. Student-athletes Caden Hodges, Juan Lopez, Brandon Jones, Shaun Wixson, and Jack McCarthy made up the Bronco squad.
Hodges, a freshman from Dunn, NC, finished with a three-round tournament with a 211 (-5) scorecard. He had a conference season average of 71.625 to claim the Player and Rookie of the Year accolades.
Virginia Union finished in second place with a team score of 883 (+19). Livingstone was third at 892 (+28).
The CIAA All-Tournament Team is comprised of golfers who finished in the top five of the championship tournament. Livingstone's Joel Basakaine finished fifth with a 222 (+6). The Blue Bears' Emmanuel Jakisa finished tied for third with Fayetteville State's Juan Lopez. The two-shot two-over par 218. Alkin Barkley of Virginia Union finished second with an even-par 216. Hodges is also a member of the All-Tournament Team as the Low Medalist.
The All-CIAA Team consists of players with the top ten average scores from the CIAA Northern and Southern Division tournaments, along with the championship results.
Name, School, Average
Juan Ruiz, Virginia State, 77.375
Ahmad Reed, Virginia Union, 77
Ronald Otile, Livingstone, 75.125
Jack McCarthy, Fayetteville State, 74.5
Chris Baguma, Livingstone, 74.625
Travon Willis, Virginia Union, 74.625
Hayden Garcia, Virginia Union, 74.25
Alkin Barkley, Virginia Union, 74
Juan Lopez, Fayetteville State, 73.875
Caden Hodges, Fayetteville State, 71.625