By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. – Consistency led the Tennessee Tech men's golf team to a top-five showing on day one of The Grover Page Classic Monday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles wrapped up the first two rounds of play at Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn.
The purple and gold tied with Belmont for fifth among the 14 teams in contention, recording a 569 behind rounds of 284 and 285. Host UT Martin paced the event for the day, firing scores of 274 and 283 to stand at 557. Missouri State's Hampus Wijkstrom led the field of 93 golfers with a 12-under 132 after posting scores of 67 and 65.
Sniffing at Wijkstrom's heels was Tech junior Jackson Skeen, sitting just three shots back with a 135 through the first two rounds. The Golden Eagle veteran had a special day, ripping off eight birdies for an opening-round 69. He followed it up with six more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 15th for a 6-under 66.
Next on the leaderboard for the purple and gold was Anders Larson, carding a 3-under 72 with five birdies to open the event. The sophomore locked down two more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th to secure a 1-under 71 in the second round, tying for 11th overall with a score of 140.
Fellow sophomore Haden Maxwell tied for 38th through day one, delivering a 146 total. He tied three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth into an even-par 72 to open the day and followed with two more birdies and a 74 to close things out.
Senior Sean Anderson turned in back-to-back rounds of 74 for a 148 on the day, tying for 54th after totaling seven birdies across 36 holes. Fellow senior Mark McDearman completed the Golden Eagle lineup, registering a 78-74=152 behind three birdies.
Making his collegiate debut as an individual, Peyton Ogle dialed in an even-par 72 with five birdies to kick off her career in the first round. He concluded the day with a 77 and two more birdies to sit at 149 overall. Also competing as an individual, junior Alexander Bassel tallied scores of 77 and 80 for a 157 with six total birdies.
The third and final round of The Grover Page Classic will begin at 8:15 a.m. CT for the Golden Eagles as part of another shotgun start.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | UT Martin | 274-283=557 | -19 | |||
| 2. | SIUE | 283-278=561 | -15 | |||
| 3. | Presbyterian | 284-279=563 | -13 | |||
| 4. | Missouri State | 287-277=564 | -12 | |||
| T-5. | Tennessee Tech | 284-285=569 | -7 | |||
| T-5. | Belmont | 292-277=569 | -7 | |||
| Leaderboard (93 Golfers) | ||||||
| 1. | Hampus Wijkstrom (Missouri State) | 67-65=132 | -12 | |||
| 2. | Jackson Skeen | 69-66=135 | -9 | |||
| T-11. | Anders Larson | 69-71=140 | -4 | |||
| T-38. | Haden Maxwell | 72-74=146 | +2 | |||
| T-54. | Sean Anderson | 74-74=148 | +4 | |||
| T-61. | Peyton Ogle (I) | 72-77=149 | +5 | |||
| T-75. | Mark McDearman | 78-74=152 | +8 | |||
| 84. | Alexander Bassel (I) | 77-80=157 | +13 | |||
Photo by Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Media Relations
