The Alabama State Hornets captured the 29th PGA Minority Championship by seven strokes at the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Alabama State men's team picked up its first national crown before heading to Noblesville, Indiana for its NCAA Regional. The Hornets entered the Division I men's final round with a 14-stroke cushion over Florida A&M University, and finished with 893, seven strokes better than University of Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas. Tennessee State was third at 910, followed by Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, which tied for fourth at 912.
The Hornets were led by Canadians Branson Ferrier, the Division I medalist, and Francis Bethiaume. Ferrier posted a 2-under-par 70 that included six birdies and two double bogeys, for a 54-hole total of 10-under-par 206. Berthiaume, a junior from Montreal, closed with a 71 for insurance, while teammates Andrei Collins of Trinidad-Tobago (80) and Jose Rodriguez of Puerto Rico (80) struggled coming in.
"It feels great after being here several years and being so close before, with some seconds and thirds, to finally win," said Alabama State Assistant Head Coach Robert Clark. "As a PGA Professional, this means a lot for our program, for our kids and for our school.
"Branson is a very good player. He has aspirations of playing on the PGA Tour one day, and if he continues to work at his golf maturity, I think he will get there."
The Hornets traveled 10½ hours by bus from the campus in Montgomery, Alabama, to PGA Golf Club. "I had a birthday on the way down," joked Clark. "Well, it felt like a birthday, because it was a long ride. Our expectations were high this week after having basically the same group last year."
In the Men's Individual Invitational, Dominique Worthen of LeMoyne-Owen College captured the title by shooting a 74 on the day giving him a 217 for the weekend. Alabama State's Individual Charles Griffin finished tied for 35th.
The Hornets will now rest before heading to Noblesville, Ind. to compete in the Noblesville NCAA Regional. The Hornets who are the 13th seed out of 14 teams, will compete at the Sagamore Club, designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. The private course, located about 40 minutes north of Indianapolis, features numerous trees, houses and water in the signature design by one of greatest players in the history of the sport.
