By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MADISON, Ill. – It was a much improved day for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team Tuesday, as the Golden Eagles concluded play at the Derek Dolenc Intercollegiate at Gateway National Golf Links by shaving 14 strokes off their second-round output.
Tech finished 13th overall in the 54-hole event, finishing with a round of 300 on Tuesday after firing rounds of 300 and 314 Monday for an overall total of 914. Missouri State edged out host SIUE for the tournament title, finishing at 290-290-295=875 thanks to a first-place showing by Jack Knoesel who rounded the event at 66-68-72=206.
Leading the way for the Golden Eagles were juniors A.J. Wilkerson and Alexander Riddle, who both finished the two-day event with final scored of 225 and tied for 33rd among the 87 participants. Wilkerson carded rounds of 73, 79 and 73 while Riddle completed the event by turning in rounds of 73, 80 and 72.
Ranking next among the Tech five was freshman Charles Seals, who finished his second career event in a tie for 48th overall. His third-round tally of 76 backed up rounds of 78 and 76 for a 230 overall.
Freshman Cameron Yeary completed the Golden Eagles' second tournament of the year with a 241 overall, tallying rounds of 76, 81 and 84. Rounding out the event for Tech was another true freshman, Dabney Dickenson, who carded an 85-79-79=243 in his second career event.
"This was a good learning experience for the guys," head coach Polk Brown said. "Obviously, it wasn't the finish we had in mind, but we need to take the positives from it as we have a couple of weeks to get ready for Western Kentucky's event, where we have had some success in the past. We will get back after it come Thursday and I look forward to seeing these grow more throughout the season."
The Golden Eagles will have one week away from action before heading back to the links for the Kenny Perry Invitational in Bowling Green, Ky. from Oct. 10-11 at The Club at Olde Stone.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information