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Florida Southern senior Tim Crouch pulled off a rare double in collegiate golf on Wednesday, winning the individual national title for the second year in a row at the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships in Allendale, Mich.

“It means the world to me,” Crouch said. “You play your whole career to win one of these, and now I’ve won two of them.”

Crouch is only the third Division II player to accomplish two straight titles. He’s the first since Briny Baird, now a veteran PGA Tour pro, won two in a row in 1994-95 at Valdosta State. Jeff Leonard of the University of Tampa was the first repeat champion in 1987-1988.

“I told him he played the best round I’ve ever seen him play,” Florida Southern coach Doug Gordin said.

“All the experience and everything he’s learned over four years came to fruition,” Gordin said. “He played like a professional. He never got rattled. He kept plugging away. That’s very rewarding for a coach.”

Crouch, a first-team All-American from Mount Vernon, Ohio, fired a 3-under-par 68 at The Meadows golf course to win the tournament by one stroke over Adam Svensson of Barry University. Santiago Gomez of Nova Southeastern finished third, two shots back.

Scott Smyers of Lakeland, a senior at Barry University, closed with a 69 to finish in a tie for 11th individually. But Smyers will continue with his teammates, seeking to win the team championship for the second year in a row as the top eight teams compete in match play today and Friday.

Crouch won as an individual qualifier after the Mocs fell short in the regional.

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