Hedman Wins Individual Medalist as SMCC Men's Golf Wins Pima CC Invitational

PHOENIX --- 

Sophomore Nick Hedman fired a four-under, 140 over the two rounds of the Pima CC Invitational Mar. 29-30 at Randolph Golf Course in Tucson to claim individual medalist honors and helped lead the South Mountain Community College men's golf team to the team title. Damon Vilkauskas (2nd), Ryan Macpherson (4th) and Jake Carlson (5th) all finished in the top five, and Leon Acikalin and Jando Hernandez placed in the top 10 for the event. 

As a team, the Cougars fired a 16-under, 560 over the two days to win the event by 33 strokes over Glendale CC. The team opened with a 14-under, 274 on the first day and followed with a two-under, 286 in the second round. 

Hedman led all golfers with a one-under, 71 on the second day and opened the event with a three-under 69 to sit one stroke off the leaders. He is the fourth different Cougar to win individual medalist honors at a tournament this season. 

Vilkauskas, Macpherson and Carlson were among four players to finish at one-under, 143. A scorecard playoff, where the players' score on the tournament's final nine holes, was used to break the deadlock. 

Vilkauskas improved by three strokes in the second round with a two-under, 70 to take second place. Macpherson opened with a three-under, 69 and finished fourth after a two-over, 74 on the second day. Carlson was tied for the tournament lead after the first day with a four-under, 68 and wrapped up the event with a three-over, 75. 

Acikalin tied for seventh at the event, finishing at one-over, 145 for the two rounds. He opened the event with a four-under, 68 to tie for the tournament lead. Hernandez improved his score by five strokes on the second day, finishing at three-over, 147 for the event. 

SMCC returns to action when it hosts the South Mountain CC Men's Invitational at Legacy Golf Course on April 12-13.