UNC Greensboro secures 16 shot victory to dominate the Sea Palms Invitational
The UNC Greensboro men's golf team (UNCG Athletics Photo)
The UNC Greensboro men’s golf team put together an outstanding performance to claim the team title at the Sea Palms Invitational at Sea Palms Resort, Ga.
The Spartans ran away with a 16-stroke victory, posting a 54-hole total of 21-under 831 with rounds of 268-279-284. Defending champion Davidson finished runner-up at 5-under 847 with rounds of 277-293-277, making them one of only two teams in the 20-team field to finish under par.
This marks UNC Greensboro’s fourth tournament win of the season, adding to their titles at the Dorado Beach Collegiate on Feb. 25, 2025, the Bryan National Collegiate on Sept. 10, 2024, and the Elon Invitational on Oct. 15, 2024.
Drexel graduate student Drue Nicholas individually delivered a clutch final round to take home medalist honors. He posted rounds of 66-69-66 to finish at 12-under, overcoming a two-shot deficit heading into the final day.
Nicholas trailed UNC Greensboro’s 36-hole co-leaders Jake Lewis and Kelvin Hernandez but surged ahead with a final-round 66, including an eagle on the par-4 12th. His only misstep came on the final hole, where he carded a bogey, but by then, the title was all but his, finishing three shots clear of the field. The win marked his fourth individual title at Drexel.
Nicholas, who transferred from NC State in 2021, has been a standout for Drexel, earning CAA honors for the third straight year in 2024. He was named to the Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association and led the team with a 71.2 scoring average, the third-best in program history.
UNC Greensboro came close to sweeping both the team and individual titles but still put two players inside the top five. Freshman Jake Lewis got off to a blazing start with an opening-round 63 and followed it up with rounds of 70-71 to finish T-2 at 9-under, alongside Davidson’s Joshua Stewart, who posted rounds of 68-71-65 to match the total.
Graduate student Jack Marcotte stayed steady all week, shooting 69-70-68 to take fourth at 6-under. Sophomore Kelvin Hernandez, who held a share of the 36-hole lead with Lewis, struggled in the final round with a 79 and dropped to 13th.
The Spartans will stay in Sea Island, Georgia, to compete in the Johnnie-O at Sea Island, hosted by Rutgers on Monday and Tuesday at Seaside Golf Course.
ABOUT THE
People's Golf Championship
54-hole men's college tournament hosted by Western
Carolina University. Team (best four scores out of five
players each round) and individual competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information