GSC Club Golf Competes in National Championship in its First Year
By Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager
Gordon State College Club Golf team Vice President Trey Smith represented the college at the National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Fall 2022 National Championship tournament in Las Vegas at the Paiute Golf Resort on Dec. 3-4, and placed within the top 200 in the United States among more than ten thousand golfers ranking from JUCO to D1 Club teams.
“I am incredibly proud of Trey as he represented our club golf program well on the national stage! To qualify for the national tournament in the club’s first year of play is an impressive feat for Trey and the entire team,” said GSC Dean of Students, Dr. Matthew K. Robison. “Top 200 out of the thousands of club golf student-athletes across the nation, such Highlander pride I have for him and the team.”
The National Championship tournament was a 2-day and 36-hole stroke play event. Smith competed at Paiute Dunes on both days. On Saturday, Dec. 3, Smith played the Wolf course and shot a 91 with 20 mph constant winds and narrow fairways. On Sunday, Dec. 4, Smith played on the Snow Mountain course and dropped 10 strokes to shoot 81. Smith’s current handicap is 0.6.
“I enjoy playing competitive golf and was thrilled of the NCCGA opportunity. It has been an honor to compete and represent Gordon State at the NCCGA National Championship. We have a great team here at Gordon and I am looking forward to playing with them next season,” Smith said.
GSC Club Golf officially launched in fall of 2022 with Kaleb Brinkley, junior majoring in management and administration, as coach and president. Brinkley headed the team of seven members a year ago before the official launch.
“Club golf is an extremely competitive and growing sport and being a first-year recognized team at Gordon State and heading to the national championship is something special,” Brinkley said.
As of date, the team has played a total of two regular season matches including a tournament in Birmingham, Alabama at Highland Park and the latest in Huntsville, Alabama at the Sunset
Landing Golf Course where Smith shot 70 and 71 (-3) that secured his spot in the team’s individual match at the national championship tournament.
"I'm super proud of our team and Trey for representing Gordon State at the National Championship this year. To have built this club team from the ground up, I couldn't have asked for better people or better teammates,” Brinkley said. “It's something special to be a part of this club golf. We're super proud to represent our school as we play a sport we're all passionate about. As club president, I would like to thank everyone for their support.”
Smith is a junior majoring in management and administration and plans to play on a professional level and become an assistant golf professional.