USCB men advance to final round of NAIA golf championship

Kirk Mitchell fired an even-par 71 and Brad Curren added a 73 as USC Beaufort survived Thursday’s cut to qualify for the final round of the NAIA Men’s Golf Championship in Silvis, Ill.

The Sand Sharks turned in their best team total of the week with a 298 at TPC Deere Run, climbing two spots into a tie for 13th in the team race. The top 17 teams after three rounds earned a berth into the final round, and USCB’s total of 55-over par was three shots clear of the cut.

British Columbia moved into the team lead with the week’s best round, carding a 283 that was six shots better than the day’s next-best total. That opened up a seven-shot advantage on Oklahoma City, with second-round leader William Woods dropping 12 shots off the pace.

USCB senior Jud Milam fell off the pace for individual honors, following up rounds of 71-73 with a 78 to drop into a tie for 22nd at 9-over par. He’ll enter the final day nine shots behind co-leaders David Ravetto (Texas Wesleyan), Lawren Rowe (Victoria) and Matthew Cheung (Oklahoma City).

Curren was another five shots back at 14-over 227, and Mitchell’s 71 produced the biggest turnaround after rounds of 84-80. Bobby Dunphy was 18 shots behind the leaders after his second consecutive 76.

Defending team champion Coastal Georgia was the last team to make the cut, one shot ahead of Reinhardt University.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 9:19 PM with the headline "USCB men advance to final round of NAIA golf championship."