MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – College of Charleston freshman Matthew Mahle (Lexington, Ky.) burst onto the Charleston golf scene winning the 54th Annual Berkeley Invitational held over the weekend at the Berkeley Country Club at Exeter Plantation.
Mahle birdied the 18th hole in his final round to shoot a 12-under 204 and capture the tournament title by a single stroke over Ross Thomson of Charleston Southern.
Ten Cougars competed in the tournament with five players claiming Top-10 finishes. Senior and 2012 Invitational-winner Alex Ellis (Austin, Texas), fresh off his second appearance at the U.S. Amateur Championship, finished tied for third carding a 10-under 206. Sophomore Josh Lorenzetti (Columbia, S.C.), 2012 Southern Conference Tournament champion, finished in sixth with a 7-under 209, while senior Parker Allen (Blythewood, S.C.) and freshman William Rainey (Charlotte, N.C.) tied for eighth at 5-under.
CofC Head Coach Mark McEntire was very pleased with the way all of his golfers competed. “It’s a great tournament and a great win for Matt,” he said. “After Alex won the tournament last year, it was special to have Matt come in and follow in his footsteps.”
The Cougars will compete in their first tournament of the fall season this weekend when they travel to the Navy Fall Classic on Sept. 7-8 at the U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club in Annapolis, Md.
