By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Following fantastic and historic seasons from both the Tennessee Tech men's and women's golf teams, head coach Polk Brown made sure that the individuals that took their respective programs to new heights received plenty of recognition as he recently announced the annual awards for each squad.
Taking home the Gilbert Darcy Most Valuable Player award following a brilliant senior campaign was Lee Whitehead, who led the way for the year in terms of individual scoring average (thusly picking up the team's Low Average award as well), posting the lowest number of his career in the purple and gold. The wiley veteran wrapped up an impressive three-year campaign as a Golden Eagle with a mark of 72.63. It represented the lowest single-season stroke average since Scott Stallings' 70.9 following his senior campaign.
On the women's side of the Tech programs, it was Clarksville, Tenn. native Whitney Robertson claiming the team's MVP honor for the second straight year after posting yet another remarkable season for the Golden Eagles. In addition to helping breaking the program's 54-hole scoring record in the first event of the season, (which was broken twice more throughout the year), the sophomore helped lead her team to shattering the 54-hole scoring record of 917 by carding a 906 at the Blue Raider Invitational and setting a new program record for stroke average in a year, totaling a mark of 313.66 over 29 rounds of play. The new record beat the previous best, turned in by the 2000-01 squad, by nearly two strokes (315.25).
"Whitney and Lee were both very solid and consistent all year," Brown explained of the team MVPs. "Every time we went out, I felt like both them were going to have an excellent chance to not only help the team, but also win the tournament. The main word that comes to mind with them is consistency, especially on the golf course. Off the course, both are very upstanding young people and it's a pleasure to be around them. Their finishes, averages and everything else they accomplished this season pretty much speak for themselves, and that's why I felt they were each worthy of the team MVP for their respective teams."
Robertson also clinched a share of the Low Average Award, splitting the honor with junior Maddi Everts. Both Everts and Robertson made individual history by becoming the first Golden Eagle players to post a scoring average under 76 for a whole season. Everts wrapped up her junior season with a mark of 75.86 over 21 rounds, missing eight rounds due to injury. Robertson participated in all 29 rounds for Tech in her sophomore campaign, finishing the year with a stroke average of 75.90.
In addition to the sharing the Low Average Award, Everts also took home honors as the team's Long Hitter and was named a team captain, along with Megan Williamson and Mason Griffin on the men's side.
Williamson, a junior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., also earned the Best Putter Award (Mitch Thomas captured the honor for the men's squad), flashing her skills on the green in her hometown at the Blue Raider Invitational. In the fall season finale, she took control of the Tech 54-hole scoring record, totaling a 218 to finish third at the event.
As for Griffin, who was also named the Long Hitter of the men's squad, the senior left with the lowest scoring average of his career, posting a mark of 74.68 behind two top-10 finishes and an OVC Male Golfer of the Week award.
The honors for Most Improved went to sophomore Haley Davidson of the women's team and to A.J. Wilkerson of the men's squad.
Davidson also captured the women's Most Dedicated Award while freshman Alexander Riddle earned the accolade for the men.
"With Alexander, he was the hardest worker on the team this season," Brown expressed for his Most Dedicated honorees. "All the guys worked hard, but he was at it every day, all the time. I was proud to see all the effort he put into this year and I can't wait to see what he does for the next few years he's here. Haley has come a long way since signing with us two years ago. Getting to watch her progress, especially this spring, and with how dedicated she was, it was just a pleasure to be a part of. I'm very excited for her over the next couple of years and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the future."
Riddle was presented with the Impact Award as well, while redshirt freshman and Cookeville native Anna Cunningham took home the honors on the women's side.
"I was very pleased with Anna and Alexander this year," Brown said in regards to the Impact Award recipients. "As the season progressed from the fall to spring, they made considerable strides in their respective games. Their hard work and effort each day was exemplary and it was just exciting what they did toward the end of the year. Both stepped up substantially at the conference tournament and it was just awesome to watch."
Photo by TTU Photo Services