Dunn, NC – Livingstone College maintained their position atop the leaderboard to claim the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Golf Championship at Chicora Golf Club in Dunn, NC. The Blue Bears finished the two-round championship tournament with a team score of 582 (+14) to capture their first title since 2018.

Livingstone finished 19 strokes ahead of second place Virginia Union, who finished a score of 601 (+33). Fayetteville State finished third with a team score of 609 (+41).

Joel Basalaine of Livingstone College finished atop the individual leaderboard at 141 (-1) to claim the low medalist award. Basalaine shot a 71 (E) in round two and needed a playoff hole to overtake teammate Xavier Proctor, who came into the day as the individual leader. Virginia Union's Alkin Barkley of Virginia Union finished in third place with a 143 (+1) while Fayetteville State's Shaun Wixson claimed fourth place at 145 (+3) after shooting a round low 70 (-1) on day two. Virginia Union's Hayden Garcia and Fayetteville State's Zack Martin both finished tied at 148 (+6) to round out the top five finishers.

Basalaine, Proctor, Barkley, Wixson, Garcia, and Martin were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts.

Following the championship event, the 2022 All-CIAA Golf team, which featured the top five players from both the CIAA Northern and Southern Division based on average scores during regular season CIAA events, was also recognized. Those selections included Hayden Garcia (Virginia Union), Zaccheus Spann (Virginia Union), Travon Willis (Virginia Union), Joseph Graham (Virginia Union), and Juan Ruiz Patino (Virginia State) from Northern Division along with Xavier Proctor (Livingstone), Ronald Otile (Livingstone), Emmanuel Jakisa (Livingstone), Joel Basalaine (Livingstone), and Brandon Jones (Fayetteville State) from the Southern Division.

Xavier Proctor of Livingstone College was also named 2022 CIAA Player of the Year while Graham of Virginia Union was also named 2022 CIAA Rookie of the Year.

Livingstone College Head Coach Andre Springs was named 2022 CIAA Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Bears to four first place finishes in CIAA Southern Division matches during the regular season.

The superlatives were voted on by the CIAA Golf Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association. 

Livingstone receives an automatic berth to represent the conference at the NCAA Golf Atlantic Regional, which takes place May 5-7 at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, New York. Top regional finishers will head to the 2022 NCAA Division II Golf Championship on May 16-20 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan.

Results of the 2022 CIAA Men's Golf Championship can be found on the 2022 CIAA Golf Championship page. For more information about the CIAA, visit www.theciaa.com and follow the conference on Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports).

2022 CIAA Golf Championship All-Tournament Team

Joel Basalaine, Livingstone – Low Medalist
Xavier Proctor, Livingstone
Alkin Barkley, Virginia Union
Shaun Wixson, Fayetteville State
Hayden Garcia, Virginia Union (tied)
Zack Martin, Fayetteville State (tied)


2022 All-CIAA Golf Team                                         

Northern                                                                                                                                            
Name                         School                        Average
Hayden Garcia           Virginia Union             73.2
Zaccheus Spann        Virginia Union             74.5
Travon Willis              Virginia Union             76.3
Joseph Graham         Virginia Union             76.9
Juan Ruiz Patino        Virginia State              77.5
                                                                                   
Southern                                                                                                                                           
Name                            School                         Average
Xavier Proctor             Livingstone                  72.5
Ronald Otile                Livingstone                  72.9
Emmanuel Jasika       Livingstone                  73.4
Joel Basakaine           Livingstone                  74.6
Brandon Jones            Fayetteville State           75.0
 
2022 CIAA Golf Player of the Year – Xavier Proctor, Livingstone

2022 CIAA Golf Rookie of the Year – Joseph Graham, Virginia Union

2022 CIAA Coach of the Year – Andre Springs, Livingstone

To see all the final results of the tournament go to Team - 2022 CIAA Men's Championship - 2022-04-14 (golfstat.com)

By winning the 2022 CIAA Championship, Livingstone will be an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Playoffs.  

For more information and to follow the Fighting Blue Bears, follow them at www.bluebearathletics.com