Led by Coach Brad Thornton, the Bulldogs showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, finishing 1-2-3 in the individual standings. Jackson Wise, a sophomore from Pontotoc (North Pontotoc High School), emerged as the standout performer, finishing at an impressive 7-under par. Wise’s exceptional performance included an incredible 6-under 66 in the afternoon round, the best of the day, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard.
Following closely behind Wise were Peyton Russell, a freshman from Gautier (Gautier High School), and Will Burnham, a sophomore from Jackson (Jackson Prep High School), who secured second and third place, respectively. Burnham’s resilience was evident as he bounced back from an initial 73 to shoot an impressive 5-under on the second 18 holes.
Andrew Zielinski, a sophomore from Ocean Springs (Ocean Springs High School), and Stanley Campbell, a freshman from London, England (Essex Golf College), also delivered commendable performances, finishing tied for sixth and tied for 12th, respectively.
The Bulldogs’ collective effort propelled them to a blistering 15-under in the second round, showcasing their resilience and ability to excel even as the wind picked up in the afternoon. Wise’s standout performance earned him the prestigious Tommy Snell Award, recognizing him as the championship medalist.
The team’s achievements included Burnham securing the Hubert Tucker Award for the lowest scoring average for the MACCC season. Zielinski, Russell, and Campbell also earned spots on the All-MACCC First Team for their outstanding season performance. Thornton was named the MACCC Coach of the Year.
Looking forward to the Gulf District Championship on April 22-24 at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia and the National Championship in May, the Bulldogs are fueled by the confidence gained from their recent triumph and the support of their coach and fans. Ready to accumulate more success, the MGCCC golf team is an outstanding example of the spirit of determination, teamwork, and excellence.
