Team Trophy N. 30 by Vanderbilt Athletics on Exposure
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Vanderbilt added another team title Tuesday.
The Commodores’ men’s golf team held steady throughout the final round of the Vanderbilt Legends Collegiate to take home the team title with a three-day total of 813, 39-under par.
Vandy ousted second-place Georgia on the North Course at the Vanderbilt Legends Club and collected its 30th team win since 2001.
“Just really so proud of the way they finished the rounds off this week – even when there were times when it wasn’t easy,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “The guys still battled and finished the round the right way. That’s what we want the foundation of our program to be – we want to finish strong.
“It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing for the kids to go out and do it.”
Fifth-year senior John Augenstein rallied to nearly capture the individual title at 13-under for the tournament and came in second thanks to a birdie on 18. But Arkansas’ Julian Perico had eagled 18 earlier to surge ahead for an eventual one-stroke victory.
Augenstein recovered from a bogey on No. 3 and finished with three of birdies on his final five holes.
“It was a good week for our team. We’ve been taking good steps,” Augenstein said. “These young guys are playing great so it’s great to see their growth.
“Obviously we’re comfortable out here, it’s our home course, but we would have done it anywhere. We’re a very good team built around around two great coaches.”
The Commodores started the day at 32-under after a program record 265 on Monday. Their 10-stroke lead over Texas A&M shrunk to eight after three holes and that’s where the margin remained after six holes played.
As the Aggies began to fade and Georgia – who fired a 13-under 271 on Tuesday – began to close the gap, Vandy regained its form on the back nine to hold on for the win. Led by Augenstein’s 33 on the final nine holes the Commodores closed with a 4-under as a team Tuesday to win by five strokes.
“It kind of had an SEC championship kind of feel,” Limbaugh said. “When you’re playing great teams like in the SEC they are going to push. You got to want to push back – and our guys did today.”
In its run to the team title, Matthew Riedel finished tied for fifth with an 11-under. William Moll came in tied for 11th with his 8-under.
Vandy also got a 6-under from Reid Davenport (tied for 18th) and a 3-under from Harrison Ott (tied for 31st).
“I think we came into this week expecting to do this and I think a lot of people expected us to as well,” Augenstein said. “But it’s one thing to be expected to do that and also actually get it done.”
Vanderbilt will now look ahead to the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Alabama, scheduled for Nov. 9-10.
