By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team skyrocketed up the leaderboard on the final day of action at the Grover Page Classic, placing fifth among the 15-team field while competing in the 36-hole event at Jackson Country Club on Tuesday.

After the event was shortened to just 36 holes due to unplayable course conditions Monday morning from heavy rain the previous evening, Tech bounced back from a 10th-place showing on day one to climb five positions following the second and final round. The Golden Eagles fired off a 283 their second time around the links, the second-lowest round of the day.

Only SIUE topped the showing, using a 276 to leapfrog four teams and claim the tournament title. The Cougars' Brady Kaufmann won individual medalist honors in the field of 99 golfers, carding an 11-under 133 for the event, including a 7-under 65 on Tuesday.

Leading the Tech charge up the rankings was junior Haden Maxwell, who claimed his first All-Tournament nod of the season by tying for fifth overall with a 138. The veteran dialed up five birdies on the day to register his second round of 69 for the event. Maxwell's 138 tied for the second-lowest mark for a 36-hole tournament in program history, matching Scott Stallings (2005) and Tom Pack (1990). 

Sophomore Matthew Shull delivered a fantastic round for the effort, ratcheting together a 2-under 70 to tie for 17th for the week. The Tech newcomer paired an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole (his first as a Golden Eagle) with four birdies to total a 142 overall. 

Next among the Golden Eagle participants was Alex Broyles, who tied for 46th behind a two-day total of 147. The sophomore tallied four birdies on his way to a 2-over 74 for the day. After making his collegiate debut with a 78 on Monday, Spencer Stuke slashed a whopping eight strokes from his tally to record a 2-under 70 on Tuesday. The freshman finished tied for 50th after compiling five birdies and a total of 148. 

Fellow rookie Drew Bolton rounded out the lineup for the Cookeville crew, contributing a 77 with two birdies on Tuesday. The youngster tied for 60th thanks to a composite total of 150. Competing as an individual, a third Tech freshman rounded out the week with four birdies and a 1-over 73. Hil Thompson, the newbie in question, tied for 67th after totaling 151 for the two rounds. 

The purple and gold get a brief break from the links before returning to action for The Carolina Cup Sunday, Oct. 6 through Tuesday, Oct. 8. Hosted by USC Upstate, the three-day event will be held at The Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, S.C.

File photo by Jim Dillon