By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MIMS, Fla. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team wrapped up play at its first event of the spring, concluding its final match-play meeting against Ohio Valley Conference foe and co-host UT Martin at the Carpenter-Chaney Classic in Mims, Fla.
Competing at Indian River Preserve Golf Club, the Golden Eagles fell to the Skyhawks in their first match-play event of the season, 4-1-1, after finishing Friday's action with a pair of undefeated showings. Tech defeated Eastern Illinois, 6-0-0, and Bellarmine, 3-0-3 on day one.
Freshman Anders Larson claimed the lone victory on the day for the Golden Eagles, defeating his Skyhawk counterpart 2&1. The rookie trailed the final eight holes of the front nine by as many as three, but he flipped the script as soon as he hit the back nine. The rookie jumped on top after the 11th and never looked back.
Junior Mark McDearman turned in a remarkable comeback in his match-up, earning a tie despite trailing for 17 holes on the day. Fighting back from a four-hole deficit with five to play, the Lebanon, Tenn. native picked up victories on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th holes to halve the match with his UT Martin match-up.
Rookie Haden Maxwell and sophomore Jackson Skeen each fell in their tilts by final scores of 2&1. Senior Chance Taylor was defeated in his match-up, 5&3, while fellow senior Bryce Beeler dropped his decision against Skyhawks, 6&5.
The Golden Eagles will have a full month off from the links, competing next in Sevierville, Tenn. Tech will play host to the 10th annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate at Sevierville Golf Club from Sunday, Mar. 12 to Tuesday, Mar. 14.
Match Play Results
Round #1: Tennessee Tech 6, Eastern Illinois 0
Bryce Beeler (TTU) def. Trey Oswald (EIU), 4&3
Chance Taylor (TTU) def. Preston Smith (EIU), 3&2
Haden Maxwell (TTU) def. Keegan Gowin (EIU), 2&1
Jackson Skeen (TTU) def. Pierce Allord (EIU), 2&1
Anders Larson (TTU) def. Ben Lanman (EIU), 3&2
Mark McDearman (TTU) def. Grant Mascal (EIU), 4&3
Round #2: Tennessee Tech 4.5, Bellarmine 1.5
Haden Maxwell (TTU), Luke Bischoff (BU), HALVED
Bryce Beeler (TTU) def. Jensen Klondike (BU), 1UP
Mark McDearman (TTU), Kannon Tucker (BU), HALVED
Anders Larson (TTU) def. Ballard Harris (BU), 2&1
Chance Taylor (TTU) def. Davis Billows (BU), 2&1
Jackson Skeen (TTU), Frankie Morgan (BU), HALVED
Round #3: UT Martin 4.5, Tennessee Tech 1.5
Ethan Ray (UTM) def. Bryce Beeler (TTU), 6&5
Dax Isbell (UTM) def. Haden Maxwell (TTU), 2&1
Anders Larson (TTU) def. Cayden Chambers (UTM), 2&1
Mark McDearman (TTU), Bryson Morrell, HALVED
Jonathan Xoinis (UTM) def. Chance Taylor (TTU), 5&3
Jacob Uehlein (UTM) def. Jackson Skeen (TTU), 2&1
File photo by Emily Armstrong
