Tech’s men’s golf team placed sixth out of 14 teams at the annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate Golf Tournament March 18-20 in Sevierville, Tennessee.
The Golden Eagles competed in a field that included Ohio Valley Conference schools rivals Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Eastern Kentucky University, Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee-Martin.
Tech finished above TSU and Belmont, but behind APSU, EKU and UTM.
The Golden Eagles trailed tournament winner Eastern Kentucky 287-295 after the first day of the competition.
“Although we were only eight back after day one, we needed to take better advantage of the scoring conditions,” coach Polk Brown said. “We played awesome the second day, but we weren’t able to gain any ground on the leaders. On the last day the wind picked up, which is what we needed, but we struggled.”
Tech’s top five scorers consisted of junior Matthew Giles, freshmen Will Brooks and Bracton Womack and seniors Alexander Riddle and A.J. Wilkerson.
Giles carded a 73-69-74 over three days, leading the Golden Eagles with a combined score of 216 for the tournament and finishing tied for 14th individually in the tournament.
Brown praised Giles’ consistency and performance throughout the season.
“Matthew has been our most consistent player, he’s played tremendously well in the spring,” Brown said.
Brooks finished with a combined 219, while Riddle and Wilkerson each carded a 221. Womack carded a 225 over the three-day tournament.
Brown also praised the team’s ability to put themselves in good positions off the tee, particularly in the Golden Eagles’ third-place finish at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tennessee, on March 13-14.
“We need to continue to do that and also take advantage of more opportunities we have from there to the green,” Brown said.
Tech is scheduled to play in their final regular season tournament at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tennessee, April 13-15.
The Golden Eagles are scheduled to participate in the OVC Championships in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, on April 23-25. Tech tied for sixth place at the tournament last season.
“I think all the guys are looking to finish this thing out strong. I would say the seniors, given this is their last go around, will play with a nothing-to-lose mindset which tends to lend itself to better scoring,” Brown said. “I expect them all to finish well.”
