SMCC Men's Golf Claims Gaucho AZ Showdown; Acikalin Wins Playoff to Earn Individual Medalist

PHOENIX---

The South Mountain Community College men's golf team fired a two-under 574 over the two rounds to win the Gaucho AZ Showdown hosted by Glendale Community College at Corte Bella Golf Course in Sun City West, Ariz., on Mar. 16-17. Sophomore Leon Acikalin took home individual medalist honors by winning a scorecard playoff based on his score on the back nine of Wednesday's round to edge Paradise Valley CC's Justin Terry. 

After carding an even-par 72 in the first round, Acikalin shot four-under 68 in the second round and wound up tied with Terry. The deadlock went to the scorecards, where Acikalin had a lower score on the final nine holes of the tournament. Acikalin is a two-time NJCAA Division I Ping First Team All-American who spent 2019 and 2020 at Eastern Arizona College. 

As a team, SMCC won the tournament by 14 strokes over Mesa CC. The Cougars improved by 10 strokes from round one to round two, highlighted by three student-athletes finishing under par for the day. 

Sophomore Ryan Macpherson finished third at the event, totaling a two-under 142 over the two days. He shot a three-under 69 in the second round. 

Sophomore Nick Hedman took fourth, bringing in an even-par 144 for the two days. He finished at one-under 71 in round two. 

Freshman Jake Carlson tied for sixth with a five-over 149 for the tournament, opening the event with a two-over 74. 

Freshman Damon Vilkauskas tied for 12th with a seven-over 151 and carded a three-over 75 in his second round. 

Freshman Jando Hernandez was the sixth Cougar to compete, coming in 18th place with an eight-over 152. 

The Cougars return to action Mar. 29-30 at Randolph Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz., as part of the Pima CC Invitational.