The Sports Inquirer

Release from Kennesaw State Athletics:

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men’s golf team concluded a performance for the record books on Tuesday (Oct. 21).

Led by freshman Fredrik Nilehn, the Owls posted a final-round even-par total of 288 to finish the 54-hole Pinetree Intercollegiate with a 19-under par total of 845 and a 30-shot win.

The victory marked Kennesaw State’s third straight Pinetree Intercollegiate title as a long list of program records fell at the par-72, 7,108-yard Pinetree Country Club.

“We obviously know the golf course very well out here and that is a huge advantage. I think our guys went out here and played free and loose and just played the way they do every time they come out to play and practice and that is what really translated over to our success,” head coach Jay Moseley said. “We had three guys that played unbelievable golf that I have never even see out here in practice. They played phenomenal golf over 54 holes.

“I’m really proud of Jimmy (Beck) and Austin (Vick), finishing their senior year here at Pinetree in winning form,” Moseley added. “Fredrik had a true breakthrough performance. We’ve known he is a great player and tremendous talent but he really showed what he’s capable of doing this week and I am so proud of him. To get his first win by six strokes is truly phenomenal.”

Nilehn set the school record for low 54-hole score on a par 72 course by carding a 14-under par 202 to eclipse the previous mark of 203 that was accomplished by Matt Nagy at the 2011 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate. The Owls’ freshman recorded rounds of 64-70-68 en route to posting a six-shot victory over senior teammate Jimmy Beck, who finished second with an 8-under par score of 208. Senior Austin Vick placed third at 9-under 209.

“My play was very good this week and I putted very well,” Nilehn said. “I was playing very well. My coach (Moseley) helped me a lot out on the course reading puts. I actually practiced a lot of putting the last two weeks and it gave me results today and I am really happy with that. It was one of my goals for this tournament to improve my putting and I did so I am really happy with that.”

Kennesaw State’s final score of 19-under par 845 equaled the par-72 school record previously set at the 2011 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate. The Owls turned in rounds of 276-281-288 to separate themselves from the field. Liberty finished second with an 11-over par 875.

Freshman Wyatt Larkin (229) tied for 29th, while junior Carlos Segura Oliva (239) tied for 52nd.

Kennesaw State had three players competing as individuals with senior Kelby Burton leading the trio with a 233 total to tie for 41st. Playing in their first collegiate tournament, freshmen Paul Doig (236) and Buster Bruton (244) tied for 45th and placed 60th, respectively.

The team win marked the second of the fall for Kennesaw State, which also captured the Rees Jones Invitational. In five fall tournaments, the Owls never finished below fourth place.

With its fall season complete, Kennesaw State is off until it opens its spring schedule at the Jones Invitational at Valencia Country Club in Valencia, Calif.

KENNESAW STATE RECORDS SET AT 2014 PINETREE INTERCOLLEGIATE

INDIVIDUAL
Low 18 Holes (Par 72)
New Record: Fredrik Nilehn 64 (-8) 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate
Old Record: Jimmy Beck  65 (-7) 2012 Pinetree Intercollegiate

Low 36 Holes (Par 72) 
Tied: Fredrick Nilehn 134; (-10) 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate
Tied: Michael Tulacz 134; 2011 USA Jaguar Invitational

Low 54 Holes (Par 72)
New Record: Fredrik Nilehn 202 (-14); 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate
Old Record: 203 (-13); Matt Nagy 203 (-13) 2011 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate

TEAM
Lowest 36 Holes (Par 72) 
New Record: 557 (-19); 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate
Old Record:  560 (-16); 2011 USA Jaguar Invitational

Lowest 54 Holes (Par 72)
Tie: 845 (-19); 2014 Pinetree Intercollegiate
Tie: 845 (-19); 2011 Barefoot at the Beach Intercollegiate

PINETREE INTERCOLLEGIATE TOURNAMENT RECORDS

INDIVIDUAL
Low 18
New Record: Fredrik Nilehn 64 (-8); 2014 1st Round
Old Record: Jimmy Beck 65 (-7); 2012 1st Round
Ryan Harris 65 (-7); Akron 2012 1st Round

Low 54
New Record: Fredrik Nilehn 202 (-14)
Old Record: Jimmy Beck, Kennesaw State 209 (-7)

Team 
Low 18
New Record: 276 (-12); Kennesaw State 2014 (1st Round)
Old Record: 282 (-6) Winthrop 2013 (2nd Round)

Low 54
New Record: 845 (-19); Kennesaw State (2014)
Old Record: 860 (-4); Kennesaw State (2012)