JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sophomore Josh Nichols (Kernersville, N.C./Salem Baptist Christian) carded a 65-73=138 (-4) to lead Appalachian State University men's golf to the team title at the Don Benbow/North-South Invitational. The Mountaineers finished at 291-294=585 (+17) while Nichols earned the individual title out of 74 competitors.
Daniel Walsh (WIlkesboro, West Wilkes) tied for third place with a 72-72=144 (+2) over 36 holes at Jacksonville Beach Golf Club for the top finish of his career. Darren Cook (Boone, N.C./Watauga) was close behind in 12th place at 74-73=147 (+5).
Senior Colin Hobbs (McKinney, Texas/Newman(Kan.)) finished one stroke back at 77-71=148 (+6) in 17th place, while Jay Brown (Stoneville, N.C./Dalton L. McMichael) tied for 30th at 78-73=151 (+9).
Dustin Hudson (Hildebran, N.C./East Burke) placed 33rd with a 76-77=153 (+11), just ahead of freshman Casey Komline (Dorset, Vt./Burr and Burton Academy), who carded a 76-78=154 (+12) in 35th place.
It is ASU's first team win since the 2002-03 Chris Cothran/Radford Intercollegiate and the first individual title since Casey Johnson won the 2009-10 Spring Hill Suites Intercollegiate. Nichols' opening round 65 tied an ASU 18-hole record and set a new course record.
Nichols finished five strokes ahead of second place, which went to IUPUI's Juan Diego Plasencia. IUPUI matched Appalachian's 585 over the 36 holes, but the Mountaineers owned the fifth-man-score tie breaker to claim the win among the 11-team field.
Head coach Bill Dicus' Apps return to class for two weeks before traveling to Greensboro, Ga. for the Linger Longer Invitational on March 27.