By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – An incredible first-round individual effort helped the Tennessee Tech men's golf team start off the Ohio Valley Conference Championships in good position Monday afternoon at the RTJ Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals.
The Golden Eagles wrapped up first day play in fifth place, sitting just nine strokes back of the day's leader, SIUE. Tech fired a 3-over 291 collectively, but it was true freshman Charles Seals that made the biggest splash over the first 18 holes of play.
The Hendersonville, Tenn. native erupted for a career-low, 5-under 67 to tie for first place among the 55 participants. The round shattered the program's freshman scoring mark and also represented the lowest round ever shot by a Golden Eagle at the OVC Championships.
Seals tied for a tournament-best six birdies on the day, producing the brunt of his damage to the links on par 4 holes. He led the field with a scalding 6-under scoring mark on par 4s.
Veterans A.J. Wilkerson and Matthew Giles each put forth very nice rounds to help the cause, each recording 1-over 73s. The two tied for 18th through the first day of competition. A sophomore, Giles ranked second in the field with 15 pars while the junior, Wilkerson, carded 14 pars.
True freshman Dabney Dickenson put together a 6-over 78 on day one of play while fellow rookie Cameron Yeary concluded his first round in OVC Championship action with an 81.
The Golden Eagles will kick off round two action Tuesday morning with tee times starting at 9:40 a.m. CT in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
