PAWLEY'S ISLAND, S.C. – The Jacksonville State men's golf team got its 2022-23 season off to an impressive start by winning the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
 
The Gamecocks had three players finish in the top 10 and four finish under par on the par-72, 6,921- yard True Blue Golf Course, winning the 13-team event by two shots over Wright State. The 28-under 836 carded by Jax State is tied for the fifth-best 54-hole total in school history and gives the Gamecocks their first win since claiming the Bash at the Beach title in March of 2021.
 
JSU fired rounds of 283-275-278 in the three-day tournament, with its second-round 275 tying for the 13^th-best single round in school history. The Gamecocks took over the lead in that second round and never looked back.

"We have a special group of guys who have worked really hard to earn the win this week," acting men's golf coach Robbie Fields said. "This also wouldn't have been possible without such hard work from (assistant coach) Patricio (Freundt-Thurne) leading up to the tournament and on this golf course with the guys each step of the way. I'm excited to be a part of the journey with this group of guys. A win in my first tournament as a head coach and coaching a men's team is really special and I couldn't be more happy with the week. I'm really proud of this group and excited to see what all else they are going to accomplish this season!"
 
Sophomore Ryley Heath led the Gamecocks in an impressive debut. The Decatur, Ala., native and transfer from Calhoun Community College tied for third in the 76-player field, thanks to an 11-under 205 that included rounds of 68-66-71. His score is tied for the 10^th-best 54-hole showing in school history.
 
Heath played True Blue's Par-4 holes at 5-under, best in the field, and recorded 17 total birdies, fourth-most in the field. His second-round 66 ties him for the 19^th-best single round ever by a Gamecock.

"My debut at Jacksonville could not have went any better. the whole tournament from start to finish was a success," Heath said. "Its so awesome to be on a team with so many great players and I think that was on display this week. Also a huge thanks to the coaches this week Pato was amazing he was there every step of the way encouraging, helping, and over all just making mine and my teammates lives a lot easier. Last but not least Coach fields has done amazing work in such a short amount of time. It does not get much better than him everyone on the team loves him which makes us just that much more comfortable at these events"
 
Senior Ross Napier and junior Erik Jannson joined Heath in the Top 10, both tying for seventh. Napier, a native of Hartselle, Ala., signed for rounds of 70-71-68 in the three-day event, using his best round of the tournament on Tuesday to climb eight spots over the final 18 holes. He made 38 pars and 12 birdies over the 54 holes, giving him just four holes over par in the event.
 
Napier's 209 is the lowest 54-hole score of his career and gave him his second Top-10 finish and his first in a 54-hole event.
 
Jansson's 209 tied his 54-hole low and accounted for his fifth Top-10 finish after recording four a year ago. The Vasteras, Sweden, native carded rounds of 70-68-71 over his three rounds and also avoided mistakes. He also made 12 birdies and carded 37 pars, leaving just five holes over par over three days.
 
Jansson made six birdies in his second-round 68, which tied his low round as a Gamecock and put him in contention heading into Tuesday's final round.
 
Junior Gabriel Restrepo bounced back after an opening round 76 to fire a second-round 70 and a final-round 68 for the Gamecocks. The 6-under performance over the last two days catapulted the Caracas, Venenzuela, native into a tie for 25^th with a 54-hole score of 214, also his best 54-hole showing as a Gamecock.
 
Sophomore David Melichar rounded out the Jax State lineup in a tie for 62^nd after rounds of 75-74-78 gave the Czech Republic, native a 54-hole score of 227.
 
The Gamecocks will look to build upon the momentum from their opening win on Sept. 26-27, when they compete in the UAB GMac Invitational. The tournament will be hosted by UAB but will take place in a familiar setting for JSU at the Gamecocks home course – Silver Lakes on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.