College Men’s Golf Results – Methodist Wins 11th NCAA Division III Title; La Verne’s Scharmann is Medalist in Greensboro, N.C.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Methodist University shot 292 Friday and rallied for its 11th NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center. The Monarchs overcame a five-shot deficit after 54 holes for a three-shot victory over USA South Athletic Conference rival LaGrange College. The Monarchs shot 1,173 over four rounds, followed by LaGrange (1,176) and Wittenberg University (1,177).

Methodist’s victory was its 11th since the Division III Tournament began 41 years ago. The only school with more titles is California State University, Stanislaus, which won 12 times from 1976 to 1981 and from 1984 to 1989. The school has since moved up to the Division II level.

“It never gets old,” said Methodist coach Steve Conley, who has guided Monarch golfers for 28 years and was at the helm for the previous 10 victories, most recently in 2010.

University of La Verne senior Kelby Scharmann pulled away from Oglethorpe University senior Anthony Maccaglia to claim medalist honors with a nine-under-par total of 279. Scharmann and Maccaglia, the 2012 NCAA Tournament champion, were tied at seven-under through 54 holes. Scharmann’s two-under 70 on the par-72, 7,200-yard East Course layout Friday was six shots better than Maccaglia. Methodist’s Jeff Wells matched the day’s low round with a three-under 69 that moved him into a share of second place.
The Monarchs started Friday’s round in fourth place and teed off before the final pairings. Fueled by Wells, Methodist finished its round four over par, which proved the best of the day. LaGrange, Wittenberg and fourth-place finisher Berry College followed, each within striking distance, but in need of big shots down the stretch.

Third-round leader Berry maintained its edge for most of the day before slipping on the back nine. Sparked by Logan Lanier’s 69, LaGrange made a strong push and had the best chance to catch Methodist. Osborn Theam’s long birdie putt stopped inches shy of the 18th hole, which he tapped in for par. Cory Howard, the Panthers’ final contestant, needed to birdie 18 to force a playoff, but struggled on his approach and ended with a double-bogey seven.

Scharmann, La Verne’s first national medalist, captured the Golf Coaches’ Association of America’s Division III Arnold Palmer Individual Champion Award. He was steady through most of the day, but caught fire late. Scharmann dropped in an eagle on the par-five sixth hole and closed his round with birdies on eight and nine to finish with a 70, his third subpar round of the tourney. Scharmann’s strong finish contrasted that of Maccaglia, who played the final six holes at five over.

Tournament co-host Guilford College shot 301 Friday and placed eighth with 1,195 strokes. The finish marked Guilford’s best NCAA Tournament effort since 2010 and its 10th top-10 result in 21 appearances. Sophomore Ty Palmer carded a one-under 71 and finished in a share for fifth place with 288. Classmate Tanner Gross shot 75 and nabbed a piece of 18th place at 294. Quakers’ senior Drew Thompson shot 77 in his final college round and shared 26th place with 297.

After two straight years at Grandover, the Division III Men’s Golf Tournament moves to Rochester, New York, where St. John Fisher University hosts the 2016 event at the Midvale Country Club and the Mendon Golf Club.