By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – A historic performance in the first round of the Big Blue Intercollegiate, followed by a solid second round, was more than enough to propel the Tennessee Tech men's golf team into sole possession of second place Monday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles put together the single greatest 18-hole round, relative to par, in program history to open its final event before the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, firing a 277 at the par 72 President's Reserve Course at the Hermitage Golf Club. The 11-under also tied for the fourth lowest mark in school history, trailing just two 274s posted by the 2005-06 team and a 276 recorded by the 2006-07 squad.
Tech followed up the record-breaking round by shooting even par over the final 18 holes of the day, tallying a 288 for an aggregate, 36-hole score of 565. After the first day of action, the Cookeville bunch trailed just OVC rival Belmont, and owned a seven stroke lead over third-place West Georgia.
Leading the way for the new Tech standard was junior Mitch Thomas, who tied his career low for 18 holes with a first-round 66. He followed that up with a 73 in round two to finish the first day of play in a tie for fourth place overall with a 139.
Finishing just behind Thomas was senior Lee Whitehead. The wiley veteran carded a 67 in the first round, tying his season-low mark before wrapping up the day with a 76 to total 143 and tie for 14th overall.
Tying for the final two scores in the historic round were senior Mason Griffin and junior Bryce Kendrick. Each tallied 72s to wrap up history, with Griffin taking it to another level in the second round, tallying a 69 to finish in a tie for seventh at 141. Kendrick rounded out the first day shaving two strokes off his first round, totaling a 70 for a 142 overall.
Four players combined for the record round, but there were several impressive performances by Tech players across the board. Rounding out the starting five was freshman Alexander Riddle, who totaled a 74 in round one and finished with a 152 overall after a second-round 78.
Redshirt freshman A.J. Wilkerson was a monster Monday afternoon, leading all players competing as individuals with a 140, thanks to a career-low round of 68 over the opening 18 holes. He wrapped up the first day in sole possession of sixth place after a 72 in second round.
Cookeville native Adam Cunningham finished second among the individuals, tying for 21st behind a 73-71=144 on his first day of action. Seniors Neil Gannaway and Maxx Verble wrapped up the participants for Tech, carding 76-79=155 and 82-81=163, respectively.
The Golden Eagles will look to finish out the Big Blue Intercollegiate with strong performance in the final round Tuesday, with the third round set to kick off with an 8:00 a.m. CT shotgun start.
Photo by Rob Schabert
