By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team concluded the first round of play at the fifth annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate Sunday afternoon, finishing fourth among the nine teams to make the trip to Sevierville Golf Club in Sevierville, Tenn.
The Golden Eagles rounded out the first day of action with a 298, trailing Ohio Valley Conference and in-state rival Austin Peay by just a single stroke. Playing on their home course, Carson-Newman paced the field with a 287 while Lincoln Memorial followed with a 293.
After 18 holes, the field of 54 was led by Carson-Newman's Dalton Reese, who shot an impressive 4-under 68.
Golden Eagle junior A.J. Wilkerson led the Tech squad by example, tying for fourth place after shooting even par. The Sparta, Tenn. native ranked second in the field with six birdies while playing particularly efficient golf on par-four holes, boasting a 2-under mark to finish second in the category.
Fellow junior Alexander Riddle posted a 1-over 73 to finish just a stroke behind his teammate, tying for seventh place. The Tech veteran was highly consistent on the day, making par on 14 holes to tie for the tournament lead.
Tying for 17th was freshman Dabney Dickenson. The rookie tallied a 3-over 75 while also firing one of just three eagles in the first round of the tournament. Also a freshman, Cameron Yeary completed his first round of play in Sevierville with a 78, tying for 37th overall.
Sophomore Matthew Giles rounded out the starting five for Tech, completing play with an 83.
Playing as individuals, redshirt freshman Landon Albert and true freshman Charles Seals matched each other with 77s to tie for 31st overall. Albert ranked second in the field with 13 holes of even par.
Round two of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate is set to begin with a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. CT on Monday. The original tee times were pushed back due to impending frost expected on the course.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
