By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off the greatest 18-hole round in program history, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team seem ready and raring to go as the Golden Eagles head to Muscle Shoals, Ala. for the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Golf Championships.
The 54-hole event, which will feature three consecutive days of 18 holes of play, will take place at The Shoals. The course will play at a par 72 with a yardage of 7,258. The opening round of the event will commence at 8:00 a.m. CT on Friday, with live stats available throughout the tournament.
The annual awards banquet will be held following the first round of play on Friday. The banquet will honor the 10-member All-OVC team as well as the All-Newcomer Team and Freshman of the Year. The OVC Player of the Year, Coach of the Year as well as All-Tournament and Tournament MVP awards will be presented at the conclusion of each championship.
The Shoals is home to two 18-hole championship courses and lies between the Wheeler and Wilson dams on the Tennessee River. Wheeler Dam is named in honor of General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Wheeler - the only Confederate General to attain the same rank later in the United States Army. The Fighting Joe course at The Shoals was the first Trail course to break 8,000 yards. Travel + Leisure Golf named Fighting Joe one of the top new courses in 2004.
The OVC Men's Championship has been held at The Shoals twice previously (2009 and 2014). Last year Jacksonville State claimed its fifth overall OVC title in the event which was shortened to 36 holes due to weather.
Here's a look at the participating teams:
Austin Peay
Belmont
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Kentucky
Jacksonville State
Morehead State
Murray State
SIUE
Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech
UT Martin
"It's been a great ride so far this year with the guys, head coach Polk Brown said. "We seem to be building a great deal of momentum heading into the conference tournament, in light of our win in Nashville last week. The guys are very confident and they fully expect to put themselves in the position to win the championship come Sunday. Having said that, we need to remain humble and hungry. We look forward to the opportunity to compete at Muscle Shoals starting Thursday."
Here's a look at the participating Golden Eagles:
- Lee Whitehead (Sr.)
- Mitch Thomas (Jr.)
- Mason Griffin (Sr.)
- Bryce Kendrick (Jr.)
- Alexander Riddle (Fr.)
Photo by Rob Schabert
