February 9, 2006

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. -- Columbus State survived windy, cold conditions here Tuesday to hold off a charge from West Florida and win the Outback Steakhouse Intercollegiate at the Hombre Golf Club.

CSU fired a final-round 302 to finish at 595, while the Argonauts were the only team to break 300 at 292, finishing four shots back.

St. Edwards finished third at 607, UNC Pembroke fourth at 614 and Wingate fifth at 623 in the 16-team field. The event was contested on the 6,457-yard Hombre Golf Club, a par-71 layout.

Jeff Howard of St. Edwards took medalist honors, winning in a playoff with West Florida's Brian Lawrence. Howard fired rounds of 69-76, while Lawrence carded rounds of 75-70. Lawrence won on the first playoff hole with a par.

Evan Scanlan and Christian Ries of CSU tied for third at 146. Scanlan followed Monday's 71 with a 75, while Ries had rounds of 72-74. Wesley Ker-Fox shot 74 on Tuesday to finish at 151, tied for ninth. Andrew Georgiou and Brandon Kuban each fired a 79, with Georgiou finishing tied for 12th. CSU will next be in action on February 27-28 at the AASU Pirate Invitational in Savannah, where the Cougars are defending champions.