By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – It was a top-10 start for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team to the 2022-23 season Sunday, as the Golden Eagles completed the first day of play at the Golfweek Fall Challenge at True Blue Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The purple and gold wrapped up the first 18 holes of action with an eighth-place showing among 13 teams after producing a 1-over 289 overall. Presbyterian turned in the top showing of the day with a 278 to pace the field. Southern Indiana's Zach Williams and Coastal Carolina's Trey Crenshaw each tied for the individual lead with scores of 7-under 65.
As for the Golden Eagles, it was senior Chance Taylor carding the top score the day, finishing third among 76 golfers with a career-low round of 5-under 67. The veteran kept a clean scorecard, dropping five birdies and 13 pars on the day.
Tying for 21st overall was sophomore Jackson Skeen. Backed by five birdies of his own, including four in the front nine alone, Skeen delivered a 1-under 71. Junior Mark McDearman was right behind his teammate, securing an even-par 72. He tied for 28th after a trio of birdies and 13 pars.
Competing as an individual, sophomore Alexander Bassel was next on the leaderboard for the Tech squad, dropping a pair of birdies to tie for 50th in the field with a 75. Making his collegiate debut, freshman Haden Maxwell put together a 79 with his first career birdie to tie for 71st.
Concluding the Golden Eagle lineup was senior Sean Anderson, posting an 80 to tie for 73rd with one birdie.
The second round of the Golfweek Fall Challenge will begin at 6:45 a.m. CT for the purple and gold as part of a partial shotgun start.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Presbyterian | 278 | -10 | |||
| 2. | Delaware | 281 | -7 | |||
| T-3. | Wright State | 283 | -5 | |||
| T-3. | Jacksonville State | 283 | -5 | |||
| 5. | Southern Indiana | 284 | -4 | |||
| 8. | Tennessee Tech | 289 | +1 | |||
| Leaderboard (76 Golfers) | ||||||
| T-1. | Zach Williams (Southern Indiana) | 65 | -7 | |||
| T-1. | Trey Crenshaw* (Coastal Carolina) | 65 | -7 | |||
| 3. | Chance Taylor | 67 | -5 | |||
| T-21. | Jackson Skeen | 71 | -1 | |||
| T-28. | Mark McDearman | 72 | E | |||
| T-50. | Alexander Bassel* | 75 | +3 | |||
| T-71. | Haden Maxwell | 79 | +7 | |||
| T-73. | Sean Anderson | 80 | +8 | |||
| *competed as an individual | ||||||
File photo by Emily Armstrong