Francis Marion finishes fourth at Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate

SAVANNAH, GA - Junior Christopher Couch fired a final-round, even-par 72 to help lead Francis Marion University to a fourth-place showing at the Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate golf tournament, hosted by Georgia Southern University at the Savannah Quarters Country Club.

The final standing represents the Patriots' third Top-5 finish in four fall tournaments.

Francis Marion entered the day in fourth position and remained there, firing the fourth-best team score (296) on Tuesday.   The host Eagles led from wire-to-wire, finishing with an 865 tally.  Furman University (866) finished one stroke back, followed by Kennesaw State University (870), FMU (888), and Armstrong Atlantic State University (895).  The field consisted of 13 teams.

Patriot senior Keith Crowley led the FMU golfers with a 13th-place showing.  He fired a final-round 74 to finish with a 54-hole total of 221.  Senior Peter McGibney tied for 15th place, one stroke behind Crowley at 222, after shooting a 74 on Tuesday.  Couch (76-77-72=225) and senior Andrew Pitcher (74-75-76=225) were among a group tied for 22nd position, and senior Ronan O'Connor (72-83-81=236) tied for 56th place.

FMU sophomore Brian Hill competed as an individual with no team affiliation and finished tied for 72nd place (86-79-82=247).

Francis Marion will play its final fall tournament, Nov. 3-4, at the Western Carolina University Intercollegiate in Cashiers, N.C.