By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – For the second time this spring, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team claimed a tournament title, taking home the top spot at the Big Blue Intercollegiate at President's Reserve at Hermitage Golf Club Tuesday afternoon.
Competing against a field of 14, the Golden Eagles claimed their second tournament championship of the year behind a total score of 844, finishing eight shots under par for the 54-hole event. Tech's 281 in the third and final round cemented an eight-stroke victory over Murray State and Wright State, which tied for second place.
Combining its third-round 281 with scores of 283 and 280 from Monday, the Golden Eagles earned multiple tournament titles in one season for the first time since collecting two in the spring of the 2006-07 campaign. Tech's 844 represented the team's lowest score for 54 holes since 2015 and the fifth lowest in program history.
The other highlight of the day for the Golden Eagles came from a freshman playing as an individual. Rookie Bryce Beeler earned his first collegiate medalist honor after carding a 5-under 208 for the week, edging out Murray State's Avery Edwards, and his mammoth, third-round 66, by one stroke. Beeler fired an even-par 71 on Tuesday, partnering with his 68 and 69 from day one play.
With the individual title, the Maryville native secured Tech's second medalist honor of the year, joining teammate Bracton Womack as the first Golden Eagle teammates since 2007 to win a tournament. His 208 set the program's freshman scoring mark for 54 holes as well, tying for the seventh lowest in school history while breaking the record set by current senior Matthew Giles.
Giles and junior Cameron Yeary led the Tech effort in the win, both earning All-Tournament honors while tying for third place among the field of 87. Giles matched his career-low outing in the team's final regular season event with a 3-under 210 (73-67-70), set back during his first career tournament in the purple and gold.
Yeary also posted a 210, shattering his own career mark by seven strokes. He concluded play with a 2-under 69 to go along with scores of 70 and 71 from Monday.
Tying for sixth place at the event were sophomores Will Brooks and Bracton Womack. Both youngsters shot 212 for the event, finishing 1-under overall. Brooks, a Cookeville native, covered even-par on Tuesday to go along with rounds of 74 and 67 on day on. Womack also notched a 71 for par, pairing it with his 66 and 75 from the day before.
Rounding out the Tech lineup was junior Dabney Dickenson. The veteran finished play with a 1-over 72 to shoot 225 and tie for 57th.
Joining Beeler among the individuals in competition were fellow freshmen Chance Taylor and Cade Puryear. Taylor erupted for a season-low 69 in the final round to tie for 37th with a 220. Puryear tied for 59th after sporting a 226.
Tech will now target the OVC Championships for its next event, kicking off the three-day tournament in Muscle Shoals, Ala. on Sunday, Apr. 21. Play will take place at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals, part of the Robert Trent Jones Trail, and conclude Wednesday, Apr. 23.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Tennessee Tech | 844 | -8 | |||
| T2. | Murray State | 852 | E | |||
| T2. | Wright State | 852 | E | |||
| 4. | UT Martin | 856 | +4 | |||
| 5. | Longwood | 860 | +8 | |||
| Leaderboard (87 Golfers) | ||||||
| 1. | Bryce Beeler* | 68-69-71=208 | -5 | |||
| T3. | Matthew Giles | 73-67-70=210 | -3 | |||
| T3. | Cameron Yeary | 70-71-69=210 | -3 | |||
| T6. | Will Brooks | 74-67-71=212 | -1 | |||
| T6. | Bracton Womack | 66-75-71=212 | -1 | |||
| T37. | Chance Taylor* | 75-76-69=220 | +7 | |||
| T57. | Dabney Dickenson | 75-78-72=225 | +12 | |||
| T59. | Cade Puryear* | 75-78-73=226 | +13 | |||
Photos courtesy of Tennessee State Media Relations