By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team collected its fourth top four finish at the Grover Page Classic in as many years Tuesday afternoon, finishing third overall among eight teams in competition at Jackson Country Club.
Host and in-state and Ohio Valley Conference rival UT Martin took the top spot after three rounds of play, posting a score of 873. Samford finished in the runner-up position with a final two-day showing of 886. The Golden Eagles filled the third place role, carding rounds of 297, 295 and 302 in less than ideal weather conditions for an 894. TTU edged fellow OVC rival Murray State by six shots for third.
Junior Alexander Riddle led the Golden Eagle effort on the links in Jackson, Tenn., carding a 77-70-73 for a 220, the third-lowest 54-hole score of his career and lowest since his redshirt freshman campaign. The veteran tied for sixth place among the 48 participants, narrowly missing out on an All-Tournament nod.
Just one shot back of his teammate, fellow junior A.J. Wilkerson tied for ninth place after continuing his strong, consistent play for a third straight round. After notching scores of 74 and 73 on day one, the vet put forth another 74 on his way to tying his season-low score of 221.
Ranking in a tie for 24th was sophomore Matthew Giles, who finished the two-day tournament with a third-round 79. Coupled with rounds of 74 and 76, Giles finished with a 229. Next among the Tech participants was freshman Dabney Dickenson, who posted scores of 82, 76 and 76 for a 234.
Rounding out the Golden Eagles starting lineup, freshman Cameron Yeary finished with a total of 235 for the event, carding an 82 to go along with previous rounds of 72 and 81. Fellow freshman Charles Seals also took part in the event, playing as an individual. The rookie tallied an 82-74-78=234 in his third career tournament.
The Golden Eagles will now shift focus to the annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, the team's home event at Sevierville Golf Club in Sevierville, Tenn. The 54-hole event will commence Sunday, Mar. 19 with single rounds to be played through Tuesday, Mar. 21.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information