By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With a little more than a month before the beginning of its newest campaign, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team is eager to compete in what will serve as the team's first fall campaign since 2019. Head coach Polk Brown officially announced the 2021 fall slate Friday afternoon.
"First and foremost, we are thrilled to be able to have a fall season once again after not getting to play in Fall 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Brown expressed. "We have four great events on the schedule and I know the guys are ready to compete. They have been hard at work since May and have experienced some great success over the last few months. We look to continue the momentum they have all built over the summer into the fall semester."
The Golden Eagles kick off the season with the Golfweek Fall Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The three-day event features three 18-hole rounds spanning Sept. 12-14 at True Blue Golf Club. Hosted by Golfweek, the purple and gold make an appearance in the event for the first time since 2018-19 and the fourth time under the direction of Brown.
Also representing a returning fall event is the Georgia State Invitational from Oct. 11-12. Competing at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga., the Golden Eagles will take part in Georgia State's fall competition for the second time in Brown's tenure and the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
"Two events we have played in the past; the Golfweek Fall Invitational and Georgia State Invitational," Brown explained. "Both of these tournaments are located at excellent venues, which I believe set up very well for the team. We are looking forward to going back."
Tech's second tournament of the fall features both familiarity and newness. From Oct. 4-5, the Golden Eagles will tackle Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn. for UT Martin's Grover Page Classic. Tech has boasted success in its Ohio Valley Conference rival's annual event – which traditionally took place in the spring – claiming first place in its most recent trip in 2018-19. In eight previous trips to the event, the purple and gold have boasted six top-three finishes, including one win and two runner-up performances.
Rounding out the fall schedule is an in-state tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. Tech will compete at Black Creek Golf Club Oct. 25-26 in Chattanooga's Battle at Black Creek for the first time under Brown's watch.
"Our other two events, the Grover Page Classic and the Battle at Black Creek, are new to the fall slate," Brown said. "We have had a tremendous amount of success at UT Martin's event in previous years and we are very excited to play Jackson Country Club in the fall. Black Creek is an outstanding course that many of our players have competed at previously, so that knowledge will serve us well in our final event of the semester. I'm looking forward to getting back to competing with these men."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
