Wingate's Gebhardt Ranked No. 1 in GolfStat Rankings

Courtesy, Wingate University

Bloomington, Ill.----Wingate University graduate student Benedict Gebhardt (Wiesbaden, Germany) is the top-ranked player in the NCAA Division II individual rankings released by GolfStat Wednesday morning. Junior Tyler Stone (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada) is ranked 14th in the nation, while the Bulldogs are the number 14 team in the NCAA Division II team rankings.

"I am thrilled for the team's overall ranking thus far through the season," head coach Corey Iacofano says. "I am looking forward to heading up to Rock Barn in a couple of weeks and see how we stack up in that tough field. I believe our players are going to view this ranking as a starting point and really work hard and try to improve in the rankings. We need to continue to work hard and focus on the thought process into each and every shot. The results like this will follow."

Wingate has played a pair of tournaments in the fall, notching second place finishes on both occasions. Gebhardt took home his fourth career individual title in the Jay Jennison Memorial Golf Tournament in September. He posted rounds of 70, 70 and 71 to finish four-under par, winning the tournament by three shots.

"I am very happy with how the season kicked off," Gebhardt says. "To be in the individual lead and to stay below par for every single round I played so far is awesome and a nice pay off for the hard work I put into my game. To be the Division II top player in the nation in this early stage of the season is just the icing on the cake. I am also very happy for my teammate Tyler to get off a good start to this season. The team started with two runner-up finishes and is rewarded with a top 15 ranking, which is very exciting, but I see even more potential in this team. I see the team winning tournaments and being inside the top 10 of the nation."

In the second tournament of the year, the Bulldogs once again placed second, finishing one shot behind Mars Hill. Stone and Gebhardt finished the 36-hole tournament tied for the lead, with each player posting round of 68 and 69 to finish seven-under par. Stone took home medalist honors for the first time in his career by winning in a playoff.

"I think it's pretty awesome the team has cracked the top 15 in the rankings, but this is just the start of our journey," Stone says. "Our main goal is to be as prepared as we possibly can be for every tournament and to go out there and execute our game plans. So far we have done this and I think it has paid dividends. I think it's important for everyone to stay focused on golf and not to get too caught up in the rankings this early in the season. My hat goes off to Ben as he has played two extremely solid tournaments finishing first and a tie for first. It's great being able to practice alongside such a great player because I have learned so much from his work ethic. Ben is an outstanding player and I think everyone is excited to see how well he and the rest of the boys do in the remaining tournaments. As for my ranking, I'll just say I think it's awesome that my play so far this year is being recognized and being ranked in the top 15. But I think most importantly for myself, I need to stay focused on executing every shot and not to get too caught up in the rankings."

Gebhardt has an adjusted scoring average of 69.45 this season, putting him .22 points ahead of second-place John Coultas of Florida Southern. Stone's adjusted scoring average is 71.05 this season.

"Ben has gotten off to a terrific start so far this season," Iacofano says. "He has led every night of a tournament. He is in a really good spot mentally, his swing has never looked better and his short game continues to improve. Tyler has come leaps and bounds since last season. I have never seen him calmer and more relaxed on the golf course. He has approached every shot this season fully committed. He has learned exactly what he can control and is not upset about the uncontrollable anymore. Speaking on behalf of both of these players, they were in a playoff together at Myrtle Beach. They have both been sharing in each other's successes. They are going to continue to improve along with the rest of the team."

The Bulldogs have two tournaments remaining during the fall season. Wingate goes to Conover, N.C. on Oct. 27-28 for the Rock Barn Collegiate Invitational. The 'Dogs wrap up the fall season Nov. 1-2 at the WCU Hummingbird Intercollegiate in Sapphire, N.C.