PALM HARBOR, Fla. – #4-ranked Dalton State showed the country they have a team that will be a factor for a national championship as they went two-for-two to open the season by winning the Invite at Innisbrook at Innisbrook's famed Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla. on Monday and Tuesday.
 
#4 Dalton State (Ga.) (868, +16) comes from behind to capture the victory by four strokes over #1 Keiser (Fla.) (872, +20). Surprising the field was unranked Campbellsville (Ky.) in 3^rd at 886 (+34). (RV) St. Thomas (Fla.) (888, +36) was 4^th as #8 Wayland Baptist (Texas) (892, +40) rounded out the top 5.

RECAP
ROUND 1
The taming of the snake began with a 293 (+9) on Monday's 1^st Round as the Birds finished one-stroke behind Keiser (Fla.). Trevor Bassett shot 1-over 72 to pace Dalton State, with Steve Kibare and Jarod Edwards each shooting 73 (+2).
 
Freshman Jack Whaley, last week's individual medalist, got the last counter with a 4-over 75. Tyler Latimer qualified for the lineup and notched a 78 (+7), with Brock Hoover playing individually and posting 1-over 72.
 
ROUND 2
A 4-over 288 from the team allowed the Roadrunners to stay within striking distance of the lead as they ended the day two strokes off the lead. Whaley made a big move, getting into red figures for the round by firing a 1-under 70.
 
Kibare put up another solid score at even-par 71 as Bassett posted 2-over 72. Edwards shot 73 (+4), while Latimer posted one-shot better in Round 2 with a 77 (+6). Hoover stayed in contention with a 3-over 74.
 
ROUND 3
Whaley again went low as he tied for the best round of the day with a 68 (-3) to move up to 2^nd place, one-stroke from a second-straight individual medalist title as Dalton State carded a 287 (+3) to take the team title. Kibare joined Whaley in the top 5, ending the tournament in 4^th place with a final round 73 (+2).
 
Edwards snagged a top-10 finish in a tie for 9^th place overall after a round of 1-over 72, the second-best Roadrunner score of the day. The depth of the team showed as Latimer got the last counter with a crucial 74 (+3) to help seal the victory. Bassett finished in the top-20 in 18^th with a 77 (+6) to end the tournament. Hoover finished top-15 with a closing 75 (+4).
 
QUOTES FROM COACH
Comments From Coach Ben Rickett:
"I could not be prouder of this group. Playing one of the hardest PGA Tour venues requires discipline and execution, and the guys did that and excelled."
 
"I'm excited with the attention to detail with this group, and we have to continue to clean up our big numbers but it's still early."
 
"Another quick turnaround this week but excited to test run Dalton Golf and Country
 Club for the national preview."
 
UP NEXT
#4 Dalton State will play at home in their next tournament when they host the NAIA National Championship Preview at Dalton Country Club in preparation for the NAIA National Championship in May.
 
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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's men's golf team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on Twitter (@DaltonStateGolf), Facebook (@DaltonStateGolf) and Instagram (daltonstategolf). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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