Florida Southern, sharpened by intra-squad competition, wins Golfweek Fripp Island

The Florida Southern golf team secured their third victory of the fall season, claiming an important lesson from this triumph. Head coach Brian Richey emphasized that the team's success in three different conditions this fall taught them valuable lessons. On Oct. 27, Florida Southern emerged victorious at the Golfweek Fripp Island Invitational, outscoring the runner-up Columbus State by eight shots.

The next closest team, Lee University, finished at 3 over. The team led the field in birdies (65) and par-5 scoring at Fripp Island in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Head coach Richey noted that the conditions were difficult, with a focus on controlling the golf ball and keeping it away from OB stakes. Before traveling to the tournament, Richey reviewed the forecast, preparing his team to succeed in such challenging conditions. The team's five-man lineup consisted of three exempt players, with Richey urging them to work on keeping the ball low. The players delivered, with Palmer Haynes emerging as the individual medalist.

Haynes added six birdies during the final round, leading the charge for Florida Southern. He described the back nine as a tough stretch, but his teammates rose to the challenge. Richey praised his squad as an excellent iron-play team, and emphasized the importance of keeping the ball in play. Haynes' success was a result of his consistent performance in home qualifiers, which helped him break through the back-end lineup.

The coach grants exemptions to players who win titles, and Haynes' victory at Fripp Island earned him a spot in the lineup for the next three spring events. With the offseason ahead, Richey remains focused on helping his young and hungry players improve.