By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Saving the best for last, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team climbed the leaderboard at the Golfweek Fall Challenge Tuesday afternoon, wrapping up the season's first event tied for sixth among 13 teams competing at True Blue Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Golden Eagles dropped a weekend-low 281 to move from a tie for eighth into a tie for sixth place overall, finishing the event with an 858. Jacksonville State claimed the tournament title with an 836 after a final round of 278. Coastal Carolina's Trey Crenshaw took home individual medalist honors after a round of 65 and total score of 198.
Tech's Jackson Skeen delivered a spectacular showing in his final round of work, carding a career-low 66 to tie for third among the 76 golfers in contention. Sporting a 205 for the weekend, the sophomore dropped a bogey-free round with six birdies for his first All-Tournament honor of the year.
Senior Chance Taylor was next on the leaderboard for the purple and gold, tying for 19th overall with a 213. He blasted seven birdies across the course as part of an even-par 72 in the third round. Mark McDearman sported a 1-under 71 to tie for 31st overall, coming in at 216 after a round with six birdies. He finished tied for first in par-5 scoring for the event at 9-under for the weekend.
Sophomore Alexander Bassel posted his best round of the weekend while competing as an individual, presenting an even-par 72 with four birdies. He tied for 54th overall with a 223 final score. Completing his first collegiate tournament, Haden Maxwell shot a 2-over 74 with two birdies on Tuesday, tying for 60th with a 226.
Rounding out the Golden Eagle lineup was senior Sean Anderson, using a trio of birdies and 13 pars to fire an even-par 72. He concluded play with a 233.
Next on the docket for Tech squad is the Grove Page Classic Monday, Sept. 19 through Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Martin, Tenn. The event, hosted by UT Martin, will take place at Jackson Country Club.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Jacksonville State | 283-275-278=836 | -28 | |||
| 2. | Wright State | 283-280-275=838 | -26 | |||
| 3. | Presbyterian | 278-282-284=844 | -20 | |||
| T-4. | Samford | 285-278-293=856 | -8 | |||
| T-4. | Delaware | 281-294-281=856 | -8 | |||
| T-6. | Tennessee Tech | 289-288-281=858 | -6 | |||
| Leaderboard (76 Golfers) | ||||||
| 1. | Trey Crenshaw* (Coastal Carolina) | 65-68-65=198 | -18 | |||
| T-3. | Jackson Skeen | 71-68-66=205 | -11 | |||
| T-19. | Chance Taylor | 67-74-72=213 | -3 | |||
| T-31. | Mark McDearman | 72-73-71=216 | E | |||
| T-54. | Alexander Bassel* | 75-76-72=223 | +7 | |||
| T-60. | Haden Maxwell | 79-73-74=226 | +10 | |||
| 75. | Sean Anderson | 80-81-72=233 | +17 | |||
| *competed as an individual | ||||||
File photo by Emily Armstrong