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The Daily Tar Heel

Men’s golf captures title in Greensboro

Not even a three-hour frost delay could cool off the red-hot North Carolina men’s golf team, as the Tar Heels battled through the chilly weather to finish in first place at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate in Greensboro this weekend.

This was the final tournament of the fall season for North Carolina, as well as the Tar Heels’ first win.

UNC was led by Henry Do, a freshman from Canton, Mich., who finished as co-champion to lead the Tar Heels with a score of 5-under-par 139

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to my freshman year,” Do said.

The weather made its impact felt early on, as the first round was delayed by three hours due to frost on the course. As a result, the event was shortened from 54 holes to 36.

Low temperatures and windy conditions affected the tournament the entire weekend. Do said everyone’s scores were higher than normal.

“You got to stay patient out there, make some more plays,” Do said. “Let the chips fall and try not to force anything because you’ll make mistakes.”

Junior Brandon Dalinka added that the key was to hit the ball straight off the tee and get it into the fairway. Do’s ability to do this played a crucial role in his victory.

“Henry hit every ball in the fairway today, which was great,” said Dalinka, a Newtown, Penn. native.

Heading into the second day, North Carolina led the field with an even par 288 and were paced by Do, who held a 4-under-par 68.

The lead was razor thin though, with UNC only two strokes ahead of the next team and Do only a stroke in front of his closest competitor.

“We just wanted to go out there and play better … than we did yesterday,” coach Andrew Sapp said.

Despite the weather, North Carolina finished out the second day strong.

The Tar Heels recorded five birdies in the final two holes to propel them to victory.

“The way we finished is just absolutely outstanding,” Do said. “We were looking at a good finish, and that’s what we got.”

Only one player for UNC finished outside the top-25.

Sophomore Keagan Cummings jumped 35 spots on the leaderboard after the second day to finish tied for 21st place and Dalinka tied for ninth.

“I saved myself with my putter, which kind of kept me going and kept the momentum on my side,” Dalinka said. “It all came together at the end.”

The Bridgestone Golf Collegiate was the last tournament North Carolina plays until it travels for the Puerto Rico Classic in February.

Until then, the Tar Heels will take a break during the brief offseason portion of the schedule.

“I know a lot of us are going to take a lot of time off, get refreshed, then get back after it at the start of the year and be ready for our first tournament in February,” junior Bailey Patrick said.

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