[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FRIDAY THE 13TH BRINGS GOOD LUCK FOR GREENSBORO COLLEGE GOLF CHAMPIONS

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                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that everyone is familiar with the 
famous Sunday back nine ``fireworks'' of the Masters at Augusta 
National Golf Club, almost as familiar as we are with the superstitions 
surrounding Friday the 13th. Well, the final round back nine fireworks 
were anything but an unlucky Friday the 13th for the Greensboro College 
men's golf team. For this particular Friday the 13th, the citizens of 
the Sixth District of North Carolina congratulate the Pride's golf team 
for being crowned the NCAA Division III National Champions.
  On Friday, May 13, 2011, the Greensboro College men's golf team took 
the course for the final round of the NCAA championships, not on the 
grounds of Augusta, but those of the East Course at Grandover Resort, 
located in Greensboro, North Carolina, also in our district. The day 
began with Greensboro College ahead of the second-place team by three 
strokes. Pride junior Ben Nihart told the Greensboro News & Record 
that, ``We really wanted to get off to a good start because that puts 
more pressure on the teams that are behind us to try and catch up.'' 
Early in the day, however, it seemed as if Friday the 13th would live 
up to its billing as an unlucky day for the men of Greensboro College.
  The team from Illinois Wesleyan, which eventually ended the 
tournament as runners-up, came off the first tee playing well, chasing 
hot on the heels of Greensboro College throughout the front nine, a 
chase that culminated with Illinois Wesleyan grabbing a one-stroke lead 
after 14 holes.
  That is when the Pride kicked it into high gear, combining for nine 
birdies on the back nine. Spearheaded by Brock Elder of Greensboro, a 
graduate of Vandalia Christian School, the Pride roared back from one 
stroke down, running out to a six-stroke lead over the final four holes 
to claim the National Championship.
  Elder fired a 67, coming in five under par for the day, and finishing 
tied for fifth overall in the individual championship. The Pride also 
got solid performances from Ben Nihart, who shot a one under par 71, 
and Kirk Mitchell, who shot a three over par 75, to help Greensboro 
College claim the title.
  Throughout the season, the Pride benefitted from solid performances 
by all of their team members. The National Championship squad consisted 
of Brian Critzer, Tres Currie, Clint Dillon, Brock Elder, Joshua 
Hudgins, Connor Kennedy, Josh Masterson, Kirk Mitchell, Josh Nichols, 
Ben Nihart, Gregory Pappas, and Nick Peoples. The head coach guiding 
this group of young men to the National Championship is Dirk Fennie.
  The effort and determination put in by the men of the Greensboro 
College golf team was clear; they began the tournament with one goal in 
mind. Ben Nihart told the News & Record, ``I told my coach, and I said, 
I'm playing to win a national championship. I know everyone on our team 
was. There was no way we were going to let that slip away.''
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we honor and 
commemorate the effort and determination of these young men on a not-
so-unlucky Friday the 13th. The back nine fireworks that brought the 
NCAA Division III National Championship to the golfers of Greensboro 
College and the Sixth District of North Carolina will be remembered for 
years to come.

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