By J.T. Webb
Delta State University

DELAND, Fla.-The Delta State University Statesmen golf team slashed nine strokes off of the second round 305, shooting a 296 to finish with a tie for tenth in the NCAA South/Southeast Region Tournament at the Victoria Hills Golf Club on Wednesday.

Not only did the Statesmen finish with a respectable finish in the 20 team field, Junior Grant Goforth qualified for the NCAA National Championship by virtue of a fourth place individual finish.

The Batesville native led the way for DSU, with a 2-under par 70 in the final round to finish with an even par 216.

DSU finished 15 strokes behind tournament winner Lynn University. Barry (873), Barton College (877), Newberry College (879) and Columbus State (885) each advanced to the NCAA National Championships as a result of a top five finish.

Chase Smith finished in a tie for 16th after firing an even par 72 in the final round to finish 4+over par 220. Jordan Breaux finished in a tie for 47th with a three round total of 225. Austin Smithers and Trent Adams rounded out the scoring with a 16+over par 236.

Goforth will begin competing in the NCAA Championship beginning on Monday, May 16 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals in Florence, Ala.

He is the son of Ronnie and Tracy Goforth of Batesville.

“We are proud,” Tracy Goforth said Thursday morning.

GoStatesmen.com will provide a link near the time of the tournament for those who wish to follow Goforth hole by hole.