By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. – Rain and poor course conditions played spoiler to the final round of the Grover Page Classic Tuesday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech men's golf team finished in second place at the 12-team event following a playoff with Ohio Valley Conference rival and tournament host, UT Martin.
Due to the inclement weather in the area and a large portion of the course being deemed unplayable, the coaches of all 12 teams voted to cancel the third and final round of action. With the Golden Eagles and Skyhawks deadlocked in a tie for first place, the two teams headed out to the par-3, 208-yard No. 9 hole at Jackson Country Club.
Scores from all five golfers of each team counted towards a team cumulative score to determine the winner. After fighting to a stalemate with two attempts at the hole, UT Martin was able to edge the Tech squad in the third round of the playoff. The Skyhawks squeaked by with a one-stroke victory.
Tiebreakers for individual play were decided by a scorecard playoff with Murray State's Jordan Smith taking home medalist honors. Golden Eagle senior Lee Whitehead earned All-Tournament honors based off the playoff, the third such honors of his career.
The wiley veteran finished his two rounds of play with scores of 69 and 73 to total 142, tying his career-low mark for a 36-hole event.
Junior Adam Cunningham just missed out on All-Tournament honors, actually tying his teammate with a first-round 69 and second-round 73 for an overall score of 142. The Cookeville native was eliminated from the accolades in the individual scorecard playoff.
Tying for eighth place overall was fellow junior Bryce Kendrick, who fell just one stroke back of Whitehead and Cunningham with a 143. He rebounded from a first-round 74 with a strong showing of 69 over the final 18 holes.
Rounding out the starting five for the Golden Eagles were junior Mitch Thomas, who ranked in a tie for 28th overall with a 75-74=149 and senior Neil Gannaway, who made his Tech golf debut with an 82-76=158. Gannaway most recently was a four-year member of the Golden Eagle football team.
Competing as individuals were freshman Alexander Riddle and redshirt freshman A.J. Wilkerson. Riddle tied for 13th overall after turning in a final of 71-74=145 while Wilkerson tied for 54th behind an 80-76=156.
Next on the docket for the Golden Eagles will be playing host to the third annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate beginning Monday, March 16 and ending on Tuesday, March 17 in Sevierville, Tenn. Play will take place at the Sevierville Golf Club.