May 20, 2011

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Cal State Monterey Bay men's golf team are the 2011 NCAA Division II Champions. The Otters defeated Lynn University 3-2 in match play at Robert Trent Jones The Shoal Course in Alabama on Friday afternoon.

"I am extremely proud of how far this team has come," said head coach Jason Owen. "It is a fitting end for a team that has persevered through everything I have thrown at them. Awesome!"

Senior John Jackson sank his final putt on the 18th hole to claim a one stroke lead over Lynn's Daniel Young. That win, coupled with D.J. Milligan's two stroke win over Roberto Francioni and Dylan Jackson's unbelievable putt for a birdie that gave him a one stroke win over Ricardo Gouveia, resulted in giving CSUMB the three points it needed for the title.

"Before I hit that putt on 18, I knew the matches were close and if I could some way make it, we would win," said Dylan Jackson. "I am just so proud of all my boys."

Lynn got two points with wins from Paul McPhee and Jose Joia. McPhee defeated Scott Yeakel by two strokes and Joia narrowly topped Oskar Nystrom by one stroke.

Prior to the drama at the 18th hole, the highlight of the day was Dylan Jackson's hole-in-one on the 178-yard, par-3 13th hole.

To achieve this remarkable accomplishment, the Otters had personal bests from Dylan Jackson and D.J. Milligan.  Dylan Jackson carded a 6-under-par 66 to tie the lowest score posted of the tournament.  Milligan tied his best round of collegiate golf with a 3-under par 69.

This was the sixth straight tournament victory for the Otters dating back to March 14th, including first ever NCAA Central/West Super Regional Championship and second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship.

In route to the championship match, the Otters concluded stroke play 17-over-par for a tie for third place.  The Otters enter match play as the third seed, defeating Newberry College 3-2 in the opening round.  CSUMB pulled out a 2-2-1 tie against Abilene Christian with the Otters wining the tiebreaker by fewest strokes.