By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team surged up the leaderboard at the seventh annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate Monday afternoon, firing a 3-under 285 to leap from 10th place to fourth among the field of 15 teams competing on the River Course at Sevierville Golf Club.
Combining with their 296 from round one, the Golden Eagle round ranked as the second-lowest of the day, behind only tournament leader Eastern Kentucky's 278. Tech will head into the final day of competition with a 5-over 581, trailing third-place Carson-Newman by just six shots.
Sophomore Will Brooks led the purple and gold's mission up the scoreboard, carding a season-low, 5-under 67 behind a bevy of birdies. The Cookeville native ranked in a tie for ninth among the 90 golfers in contention with a 142, racking up the second-most birdies in the field through two rounds.
Continuing his strong play a day after leading Tech into the clubhouse with an even-par 72 was Cameron Yeary. The junior turned in a 1-over 73 to tie for 16th overall at 145 through two days.
Also firing 73s were senior Matthew Giles and freshman Bryce Beeler. Tying for 26th, Giles compiled a 147 through two rounds. Beeler cut a couple of strokes from his first-round 75 to head into day three with a 148 and tied for 33rd.
Rounding out Tech's lineup with an improved showing was sophomore Bracton Womack. The youngster shot even-par to post a 149 overall and tie for 40th.
Competing amongst the individuals in the field, freshman Cade Puryear continued his great work in his first action at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, carding a 1-over 73. His cumulative 145 through two rounds tied him for 16th place overall.
Also among the individuals, junior Dabney Dickenson racked up a 3-over 75 for a total of 154. Rounding out the list of Tech participants, freshman Chance Taylor posted an 81 for two-day total of 166.
Round three of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate is scheduled for a 10:00 a.m. CT shotgun start Tuesday morning.
| Top 5 Teams: | |||
| 1. | Eastern Kentucky | 558 | -18 |
| 2. | Lee University | 564 | -12 |
| 3. | Carson-Newman | 575 | -1 |
| 4. | Tennessee Tech | 581 | +5 |
| 5. | Northern Kentucky | 582 | +6 |
| Leaderboard (90 Golfers) | |||
| 1. | Martin Eliasson (Eastern Kentucky) | 67-69=136 | -8 |
| T1. | Nick Bienz (IUPUI) | 68-68=136 | -8 |
| T9. | Will Brooks | 75-67=142 | -2 |
| T16. | Cameron Yeary | 72-73=145 | +1 |
| T16. | Cade Puryear* | 72-73=145 | +1 |
| T26. | Matthew Giles | 74-73=147 | +3 |
| T33. | Bryce Beeler | 75-73=148 | +4 |
| T40. | Bracton Womack | 77-72=149 | +5 |
| T66. | Dabney Dickenson* | 79-75=154 | +10 |
| T86. | Chance Taylor* | 85-81=166 | +22 |
Photo by Thomas Corhern
