By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
SAPPHIRE, N.C. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team saved its best round of golf for last at the Hummingbird Invitational, turning in a 3-under 281 on Tuesday to finish ninth among the 15 teams in action at the Country Club at Sapphire Valley.
The Golden Eagles rounded out two days of play at 1-over for the tournament, finishing with an 853 (283-289-281) overall, just one stroke behind Ohio Valley Conference rival Belmont and two shots behind OVC foe Austin Peay.
Tying the team lead at the event were veterans Matthew Giles and Dabney Dickenson, each finishing 33rd among the 83 participants. A senior, Giles captured his lowest 54-hole score since the season-opening event of the 2017-18 campaign, a 214 (73-71-70) highlighted by a third-round, 1-under 70.
As for Dickenson, the junior carded a career-low 214 (71-72-71) with some of the most consistent play of his career. His previous career mark had been a 215 (72-72-71) at last year's Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate.
Firing the lowest round of the day for the Golden Eagles was sophomore Will Brooks, who tied for 42nd after finishing just a stroke back of Giles and Dickenson. Brooks posted a 2-under 69 in the final round, cementing a 215 (70-76-69) for the tournament.
True freshman Bryce Beeler completed his second career event with a 218 (69-73-76) and tied for 52nd while junior Cameron Yeary rounded out the Tech lineup with a 223 (79-73-71).
Georgia Southern claimed the tournament title with a 13-stroke advantage, completing play at 822 (278-272-272) behind the play of individual medalist Steven Fisk, who carded in a 203 (70-67-66).
The Tech squad will have nearly two weeks before its next competition, a trip to Duluth, Ga. for the Autotrader Collegiate Classic starting Monday, Oct. 15.
Photo by Daniel Hooker, Western Carolina Athletics
