FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The 12th-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team is in a tie for third place with the College of Charleston after firing a first-round score of 289 at the Mason Rudolph Championship and the Vanderbilt Legends Club. Junior Hunter Stewart led Vanderbilt on day one of their host tournament, shooting a first-round 69 and landing in a tie for second on the individual leader board. Two other Vanderbilt players are in the top 20 in the individual standings.
The Commodores trail second-place Kennesaw State by a stroke and first place Alabama by eight shots. The Crimson Tide are the unanimous number one team in the nation.
Tee times for the opening round Friday were delayed by two hours after strong storms and heavy rains entered the Franklin area in the early morning hours. Teams were allowed to play lift, clean, and place as they battled muddy, cold, and windy conditions throughout the day.
“I thought it was a tough day out there today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “I was really proud of how Hunter played after his double on number four. He rallied in some tough conditions. As a team, I thought we did a lot of good things, finished strong, and played the hard holes pretty well. We just have to continue to focus on doing all of the simple things better and that’s what my message will be to the guys.”
Stewart’s 69 was one of only four rounds in the 60’s and tied for the second lowest round of the day. Senior Charlie Ewing is in a tie for 15th after firing a one-over par, 72, and sophomore Carson Jacobs, from nearby Hendersonville, Tenn., is in a tie for 19th after carding a two-over, 73. Junior Jordan Janico and sophomore Zack Jaworski each shot a 75 on Friday and are in a tie for 37th.
The Commodores also played five individuals, with sophomore John Voetsch and junior Ben Fogler leading the way with a pair of 73’s. Senior Mills Rendell carded a first-round 74, sophomore Spencer Ciesla shot a 75 on Friday, and freshman Zach Herr fired a 79.
The College of Charleston’s Zach Munroe leads all individuals after shooting a four-under par, 67, on Friday. Stewart, Trey Mullinax of Alabama, and Charlie Martin of Georgia Southern are two strokes back in second place.
Tee times begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday off of the number one tees, with action beginning at 8:15 a.m. off of number 10. Admission to Vanderbilt Legends Club is free to the public.
T3. Vanderbilt – 289
T2. Hunter Stewart – 69
T15. Charlie Ewing – 72
T19. Carson Jacobs – 73
T19. John Voetsch – 73*
T19. Ben Fogler – 73*
T32. Mills Rendell – 74*
T37. Jordan Janico – 75
T37. Zack Jaworski – 75
T37. Spencer Ciesla – 75*
T64. Zachary Herr – 79*
