By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
TUNICA, Miss. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team wrapped up its first attempt at match play during the 2021-22 campaign, finishing up the final round of the Carpenter-Chaney Classic at Tunica National Tuesday afternoon.
Squaring off with the No. 2 ranked team (based on GolfStat rankings) in UT Martin in the championship match, the No. 1 ranked Golden Eagles ultimately fell in a close battle, 3-2-1. Tech finished as the runner-up in the event that boasted a field of eight Ohio Valley Conference teams.
For the purple and gold, sophomore Nick Sutton finished off an undefeated weekend on the links, defeating the Skyhawks' Tate Chumley 3&2. Deadlocked following the 12th holed, Sutton captured wins on three of the next four to capture the win and overall tournament lead in birdies with 17 through the week. He also led the field of 48 golfers in par-3 scoring with a mark of 2-under.
Also completing a 3-0 showing at the event for the Golden Eagles was Chance Taylor, securing a victory over Cayden Chambers, 2&1. The Tech junior showed great poise while battling back from two deficits over the front nine. Tied after the 14th hole, he captured wins on 15 and 16 before managing a push on the 17th holed to clinch the win.
Bracton Womack delivered a remarkable comeback to claim a draw for the purple and gold and keep their chances alive, despite trailing for much of his tilt against Jacob Uehlein. Following a tie after hole No. 2, Womack saw his opponent jump on top and lead by as much as three through the 15th hole.
He responded with three consecutive victories, delivering a birdie on the par-5 16th and back-to-back pars on the par-4 17th and 18th holes to force the tie. The Tech senior led the field in par-4 scoring for the week at 2-over.
UT Martin's Jonathan Xoinis edged out Jackson Skeen 2&1 for one of his team's three victories. Bryson Morrell and Garrett Chumley defeated Tech's Mark McDearman and Sean Anderson, each 3&2, to secure the win.
The Golden Eagles will have one more chance for a tune-up prior to the OVC Championships, embarking on the Big Blue Intercollegiate next week in the final regular-season event. Competing at President's Reserve course at The Hermitage Golf Course in Hickory, Tenn., Tech will take part in a familiar event it has won twice from Monday, Apr. 11 through Tuesday, Apr. 12.
File photo by Thomas Corhern
