By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – It was a solid first round of action for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team to open up the 2021-22 campaign Sunday, as the Golden Eagles tied for seventh place among 18 teams in the first round of the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
Competing at True Blue Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the purple and gold put forth a 290 overall through the first 18 holes of play, tying with New Orleans for seventh overall. Mercer led the pack after the first round with a 273 total score. The Bears' Martin Plukka and Wofford's Harry Jones tied for the individual lead with matching scores of 65.
Senior Bracton Womack paced the Golden Eagle squad on day one, carding a 2-under 70 to tie for 10th among the field of 93 golfers. The veteran notched a trio of birdies on the day. Mark McDearman was next among the Tech participants, finishing at even-par 72. The returning freshman also tallied three birdies while tying for 22nd overall.
Tying for 43rd in the field were a pair of Golden Eagle golfers, including Nick Sutton and Chance Taylor. A sophomore, Sutton turned in a 2-over 74 while sporting three birdies overall. Taylor, a junior, also finished with a 74, producing a pair of birdies.
Rounding out the Tech group was junior Bryce Beeler, who concluded the first round with an 82 and three birdies.
The second round of the Golfweek Fall Challenge will commence at 6:45 a.m. CT.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Mercer | 273 | -15 | |||
| 2. | Jacksonville State | 281 | -7 | |||
| 3. | Delaware | 283 | -5 | |||
| T-4. | Temple | 288 | E | |||
| T-4. | Wofford | 288 | E | |||
| T-4. | CBU | 288 | E | |||
| T-7. | Tennessee Tech | 290 | +2 | |||
| T-7. | New Orleans | 290 | +2 | |||
| Leaderboard (93 Golfers) | ||||||
| T-1. | Martin Plukka (Mercer) | 65 | -7 | |||
| T-1. | Harry Jones (Wofford) | 65 | -7 | |||
| T-10. | Bracton Womack | 70 | -2 | |||
| T-22. | Mark McDearman | 72 | E | |||
| T-43. | Nick Sutton | 74 | +2 | |||
| T-43. | Chance Taylor | 74 | +2 | |||
| 90. | Bryce Beeler | 82 | +10 | |||
File photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information