NORTH PLAINS, Ore. – Senior John Augenstein showed why he is one of the nation’s top amateur golfers on Tuesday at the Nike Collegiate Golf Invitational at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, when he fired a final-round 68 and finished in second on the individual leaderboard with a final total of 10-under-par 203 (70-65-68). As a team, Vanderbilt finished in a tie for fifth with a team score of 9-under-par 843 (281-279-283) in one of the best fields in college golf.
Augenstein, making his first appearance with the Black and Gold this season after missing the Carmel Cup because of Walker Cup obligations in Hoylake, England, stormed up the individual leaderboard throughout the week and ended the event in second, one shot behind medalist Logan McAllister of Oklahoma. After carding a second-round 65, he responded on Tuesday with a 3-under 68, which included three straight birdies to end his day. Augenstein paced the Nike Collegiate field in par-4 scoring (3.78, -6) and birdies (18) for the week, and finished tied for second in par-5 scoring (4.42, -7).
The runner-up finish was his seventh career top-five finish.
“I am proud of how this team competed this week,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “We came here wanting to take a small step forward and I believe we did that. Certainly having John back was big for us and his leadership is going to be instrumental in helping us become the team we want to be. The way he finished his round today was special with birdies on his last three. I also thought some young guys grew up this week. We have a lot to learn as a group and days like this are what help you learn.”
Vanderbilt, who tied with Texas for fifth, had counting scores from sophomore Reid Davenport, who carded an even-par 71, and a pair of 1-over 72’s from junior Harrison Ott and freshman Matthew Riedel, respectively, on Tuesday. Statistically, the Commodores finished second with 63 birdies, and also finished in a tie for second in par-5 scoring (4.68, -19).
Oklahoma captured the team title after leading wire-to-wire. The Sooners finished with a total of 29-under-par 823 (270-267-286), five shots ahead of second-place Wake Forest.
“We have to continue to be honest with ourselves,” said Limbaugh. “To learn as a competitor you have to learn how you feel when you are nervous and become comfortable with that. I really do like this team and we need to continue to take good steps and put in the work.”
Vanderbilt returns to the course October 14-15 at the Crooked Stick Collegiate in Carmel, Indiana.
T5. Vanderbilt – 281-279-283=843
2. John Augenstein – 70-65-68=203
T36. Harrison Ott – 69-74-72=215
T36. William Moll – 68-69-78=215
T44. Reid Davenport – 74-72-71=217
66. Matthew Riedel – 79-73-72=224
