Sports

Women’s golf finishes fourth in Blue Raider Invitational

            The Tennessee Tech women’s golf team finished fourth in the Blue Raider Invitational Oct. 19 and 20. They were led by the play of Whitney Robertson who tied for 14th overall.

            Robertson, Maddi Everts, Allyson Dunn, Megan Williamson and Hollee Sadler all represented Tech in the 36-hole event.

            Tech shot a combined 309 during the first round of play to finish tied for third. Dunn finished in third place and led the team with a 73. Robertson finished the round with a 75 and tied for 22nd overall. Williamson carded a 79 and tied for 51st. Everts shot an 82 while Sadler ended the round with an 83.

            Tech tried to maintain its spot on the leader board during the next two rounds. Everts led Tech carding a 75-76 – 151 to finish tied for 23rd overall. Robertson followed close behind, shooting an 81-73 – 154 to finish the tournament tied for 14th. Williamson tied for 36th after carding an 81-76 – 157 in the final two rounds. Sadler carded an 83-76 – 159 to finish tied for 61st overall. Allyson Dunn tied for 31st and carded a 79-83 – 162.

            The field of 17 teams was comprised of five Ohio Valley Conference teams: Austin Peay, Belmont, Jacksonville State, Murray State and Tennessee Tech. No OVC team placed higher than Tech in the tournament. In-state rival MTSU took full advantage of playing on its home course. The Blue Raiders finished the tournament in first place, 43 strokes ahead of Tech. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley finished in last place with a 79-stroke difference between its team and Tech.

            The women’s golf team hasn’t won a tournament this season, but it’s not for lack of talent. Coach Polk Brown sees what needs improvement from this tournament to make that happen.

            “We made too many big numbers. We have to learn how to turn big numbers, such as double and triple bogeys, into just bogeys,” said Brown. “Also, our par 5 scoring was not at the level it needed to be.”

            He says the team is very confident in its ability to win a tournament; it all comes down to the team playing solid golf at the same event.

            With only one tournament left in the team’s fall season, Robertson has her eye on the prize.

            “I want to finish the season strong; finishing with a tournament win would be great. The OVC championship isn't until the spring season and that is what's on everyone’s mind. We have a whole semester to get ready to win the big one. We have the skills and the drive to win the OVC this year.”

            The final tournament of the fall season is the UAB Fall Beach Blast, which will take place in Gulf Shores, Alabama Nov. 2 and 3.