Smith Competes at NJCAA National Championship

Chautauqua, NY - After taking the Region XV individual title and being named the Region XV Player of the Year. Seamus Smith (Goshen, NY / Goshen) finished up his season with a trip to the NJCAA National Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club.

Smith opened the tournament with a first round score of 99, but improved over the next three days.

On the second day, Smith shaved off eight strokes from the opening round total, to card a second round 91. Smith recorded five pars on the round, and was seven strokes better on the challenging back nine, including a birdie on the par 4 17th.

The third round was Smith's strongest performance of the tournament, shaving off another five strokes, posting an 86. Smith played a steady front nine recording five pars and carried that momentum into the back nine, where he recorded another four pars.

Smith finished the tournament with a 94 on the final round, recording two pars and a birdie on the par 5 10th.

Said Coach Richard Giordano, "To shoot two consecutive low rounds, win the regional championship and earn the title 'Region Player of the Year' and go on to play in the national tournament, I am very proud of how far Seamus has come."

"I am really proud of Seamus and how he represented not only the golf team but also SUNY Orange as a whole at the national championship," said Director of Athletics Brian Burns. "Five rounds in five days in a long, grueling week and Seamus only got better as the week went on. I'm excited to see Seamus build on his success at regionals and his experience at the national level."