By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team put together not just its best round of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate Tuesday afternoon, it also notched its top score of the season, firing a 286 in the event's final round at Sevierville Golf Club.
Shaving eight strokes off its day-two round of 294, the Golden Eagles wrapped up their own annual event in a tie for fifth place overall with Wright State with an 878. The 54-hole mark represented the team's lowest of the season as well, eight shots better than the 886 at the GolfWeek Program Challenge.
Carson-Newman claimed the overall team title on their home course in Sevierville, Tenn., posting an 847 with rounds of 287, 274 and 286. Lincoln Memorial placed second in the event with an 872 while Evansville and Austin Peay tied for third place with matching 877s.
Posting the top score for the Golden Eagles was junior A.J. Wilkerson, who led the Tech squad wire-to-wire while carding a 72-72-70=878. His 2-under 70 on Tuesday marked the lowest round of the season for the veteran and second lowest score by a Golden Eagle this year.
Next among the Tech finishers in the Bobby Nichols Scramble were Alexander Riddle and Dabney Dickenson, tying for 21st overall in the 54-man field. Riddle completed play with an even-par 72 for a 223 while Dickenson posted a 1-over 73.
Sophomore Matthew Giles continued his hot play toward the end of the tournament, following up his second-round 72 with a 1-under 71. He finished the event with a 226 to place 26th. Freshman Cameron Yeary rounded out the Golden Eagle starters, shooting a 2-over 74 to tie for 29th.
Two players competed as individuals during the week, with freshman Charles Seals leading the way with marks of 77, 72 and 76 for a 225. He tied for 24th while redshirt freshman Landon Albert concluded round three with an 82 for a tournament score of 233.
Carson-Newman's Jake Headrick took home medalist honors in the event, totaling scores of 71, 68 and 66 for a 205. He edged his teammate, Tom Forster, by two strokes for the top spot.
Tech will return to action Monday, Apr. 10 with the team's final tournament prior to the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, taking part in the Big Blue Intercollegiate.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information