NEMCC GOLF CARDS SECOND RUNNER-UP FINISH OF 2009 CAMPAIGN

 BOONEVILLE, Miss. – Northeast Mississippi Community College golf team’s move up to Division II has paid dividends.

Northeast recorded its second runner-up finish in the East Central Community College Invitational over the weekend at Forest Country Club in Forest falling to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Northeast, which finished runner-up to Mississippi Gulf Coast in its first ever Division II event at the Laurel Country Club three weeks ago, stayed on the Bulldogs heels throughout the ECCC Invitational.

The Tigers finished the first day’s round just five strokes behind the leaders and hung on for the runner-up position on a blistery Sunday afternoon.

Mississippi Gulf Coast captured its third straight Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges’ (MACJC) event this season while the Tigers recorded their second runner-up finish.

Northeast finished runner-up at Laurel in their first-ever Division II event before slipping back to fifth at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Raymond on Feb. 21-22.

Corey Ward (MGCCC) captured the tournament medalist slot after shooting a one-under 70 on the second day – edging out first-round leader Ryan Ratcliff of Copiah-Lincoln.

Mississippi Gulf Coast carded a two-day 591 – both days under 300, while Northeast shot a 301 to open the tournament and a second-day 309 for a 610.

Northeast’s 610 was good enough to secure the runner-up position when East Mississippi scored a 613 (306-307) and Copiah-Lincoln hit a 614 (302-312) during the two-day event.

Northeast golf coach Craig Lauderdale and his linksters will head to Wolf Creek Golf Course in Wesson this weekend (March 8-9) before taking three weeks off before hosting the Northeast Mississippi Community College Invitational at Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club in Corinth on March 30-31.

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