By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – A resurgent day at the course propelled the Tennessee Tech men's golf team up the leaderboard on the final day of the Intercollegiate at The Grove Tuesday afternoon in College Grove, Tenn.
Competing at The Grove Club, the Golden Eagles used Monday's unscheduled day off – the second round of the event was cancelled due to inclement weather and poor course conditions – to their advantage. The purple and gold climbed from a tie for 11th among 14 teams after one round of action up to eighth place with a 296 on the day and 600 overall. The University of Tennessee cruised to the tournament title, winning the competition by 16 shots with a 569.
Cookeville native Will Brooks played like a man possessed over the final 18 holes, firing the low round of the day to tie for fourth place among the field of 88 and claim his second straight All-Tournament honor. The junior carded a 4-under 68 in the final round, featuring four birdies and an eagle on the par-4 fourth hole. He finished with a 74-68=142, his lowest 36-hole score of his career, and ranked second among all golfers with a 4-under mark on par-4 holes.
Sophomore Chance Taylor played his part in the Tech ascent through the rankings, shaving a pair of shots from his 75 on Sunday to turn in a 1-over 73 on Tuesday. His total of 148 was good enough to rank him in a tie for 24th overall. He claimed 14 more pars on the day, making a total of 27 through the two rounds to rank third in the field.
Next among the Tech participants was true freshman Nick Sutton, a native of Matthews, N.C. The rookie concluded play with a 78, pairing up with his first-round 77 to finish at 155 and in a tie for 58th. He birdied two holes on the day as well.
Senior Cameron Yeary trimmed five shots from his initial trip around the course, turning in scores of 82 and 77 for the week. The wiley veteran tied for 71st with a 159. Rounding out the Tech lineup was fellow senior Dabney Dickenson, who posted a 78-85=163.
Tennessee's Tyler Johnson was crowned the event's medalist while competing as an individual for the Volunteers. He posted a 138 backed by sub-par rounds of 70 and 68.
The Golden Eagles will look to keep the momentum trending into next week when the team heads to Greystone Golf Club in Dickson, Tenn. for the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate. The event is scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 14 and run through Tuesday, Oct. 15.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Tennessee | 569 | -7 | |||
| 2. | Lamar | 585 | +9 | |||
| T3. | Lipscomb | 588 | +12 | |||
| T3. | Western Kentucky | 588 | +12 | |||
| 5. | South Alabama | 589 | +13 | |||
| T8. | Tennessee Tech | 600 | +24 | |||
| Leaderboard (88 Golfers) | ||||||
| 1. | Tyler Johnson (Tennessee)* | 70-68=138 | -6 | |||
| T4. | Will Brooks | 74-68=142 | -2 | |||
| T24. | Chance Taylor | 75-73=148 | +4 | |||
| T58. | Nick Sutton | 77-78=155 | +11 | |||
| T71. | Cameron Yeary | 82-77=159 | +15 | |||
| T82. | Dabney Dickenson | 78-85=163 | +19 | |||
| *competed as an individual | ||||||
Photo by Thomas Corhern