By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – It was a highly successful first day of the Big Blue Intercollegiate for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team Monday, despite seeing a chunk of the second round come to an abrupt halt due to inclement weather.
Thirteen teams finished the first 18 holes of action at the President's Reserve Course at Hermitage Golf Club, and most had completed a large majority of the second round before heavy rain, thunderstorms, and course flooding put a pause to play. Play will pick back up Tuesday at a time still to be determined while a decision on the third round will be made at a later time.
Despite the challenges of the weather, the Golden Eagles delivered an inspired showing, finishing the day second overall and just three shots back of tournament leader Wright State. Tech fired a 295, owning a one-stroke lead over Ohio Valley Conference rival UT Martin. Wright State's Tyler Goecke led all individuals with a 1-under 70.
Pacing the purple and gold on the day were Nick Sutton and Bracton Womack, each carding 2-over 73s to tie for fourth among the field of 75 golfers. A sophomore, Sutton delivered 13 pars and dropped an eagle on the par-4 18th hole, the only one in the field. Womack, a senior, collected 14 pars on the day, along with a birdie on the par-4 first.
One stroke back of his teammates was Jackson Skeen, tying for ninth overall with a 3-over 74. The redshirt freshman was a par machine, racking up 15 of them to tie for the second-most in the field. Also contributing 15 pars was sophomore Mark McDearman, tallying a 4-over 75 to tie for 17th.
Rounding out the Tech lineup was Chance Taylor, posting a 77 to tie for 30th. The junior turned in one birdie and 12 pars.
Competing as individuals were Sean Anderson and Alexander Bassel, bringing a close to the Golden Eagle competitors. Anderson, a sophomore, finished the first round with a 79 while the redshirt freshman Bassel turned in an 86.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Wright State | 292 | +8 | |||
| 2. | Tennessee Tech | 295 | +11 | |||
| 3. | UT Martin | 296 | +12 | |||
| 4. | Longwood | 299 | +15 | |||
| 5. | Belmont | 300 | +16 | |||
| Leaderboard (75) Golfers | ||||||
| 1. | Tyler Goecke (Wright State) | 70 | -1 | |||
| T-4. | Bracton Womack | 73 | +2 | |||
| T-4. | Nick Sutton | 73 | +2 | |||
| T-9. | Jackson Skeen | 74 | +3 | |||
| T-17. | Mark McDearman | 75 | +4 | |||
| T-30. | Chance Taylor | 77 | +6 | |||
| T-44. | Sean Anderson* | 79 | +8 | |||
| T-71. | Alexander Bassel* | 86 | +15 | |||
| *competed as an individual |
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File photo by Thomas Corhern