– 2016 SEC Championships –
at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course in St. Simons Island, Ga., on Sunday, April 17, 2016
(Photo by Steven Colquitt)
With senior medalist Lee McCoy leading the way, the No. 4-ranked UGA men’s golf team won the program’s 29th league title on Sunday in the Southeastern Conference Championship on Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course.
The Bulldogs fired a final-round 5-over 285 to wind up at 13-over 853 and hold on for a 3-shot win over Texas A&M (856). Florida and Arkansas tied for third at 861, while LSU took fifth at 864.
The Bulldogs earned their eighth SEC title under Coach Chris Haack and their first since 2010. It was also the sixth time Georgia has won at Sea Island.
“It’s a feeling that never gets old, that’s for sure,” Haack said. “You never know if you’ll get another one, so I’m so happy that these boys get to experience this. It’s especially nice to see Sepp (Straka) and Lee close out their senior years with an SEC title. … This definitely gives us a boost of confidence heading into the NCAAs that we can maybe go all the way this time.”
“The SEC Championship was one of our main goals all year,” Straka said. “It got a little nerve-racking for sure, but I knew our guys could do it. It feels great to get the ‘W.’”
McCoy paced the Bulldogs to the win as he closed at 1-under 69 to finish at 3-under 207. McCoy notched the seventh win of his collegiate career — one shy of the school record — by two shots over Kentucky’s Tyler McDaniel and three shots over Auburn’s Matt Gilchrest.
McCoy is the 16th medalist in Georgia history, the first since Russell Henley in 2010. He capped his day by slamming down a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18 — a shot Straka said McCoy “will remember the rest of his life.”
“The individual title means a lot, but not nearly as much as the team title,” McCoy said. “We’ve never even contended since I’ve been here, so this feels incredible. To know I’ll get to leave school with a ring and that I helped the boys win an SEC Championship feels great. … This is our finest moment. This is something we’ll never forget.”
Georgia junior Greyson Sigg came in 10th at 215, followed by sophomore Zach Healy in 18th at 218, freshman Tye Waller at 221 and Straka at 223.
The SEC Network will air a highlights show from the SECs on Sunday, April 24, at 1 p.m.