BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Vanderbilt emerged from an up-and-down day Monday in Alabama in fourth place after 18 holes of The Collegiate Invitational at the Country Club of Birmingham.
The Commodores shot a 3-over-par 287 and are just four strokes back of leader North Florida going into Tuesday’s second round. Vandy, at one juncture Monday, found itself in last place in the 14-team field.
“I am really pleased with the way the boys battled it in today,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “Obviously, the front nine was playing pretty tough and we made a few bad scores, but the guys ability to just hang in there is pretty cool.
“In my opinion, that’s what having the right competitive spirit is all about. This is a championship test this week and it is going to identify the best players who have the most ball control.”
William Moll, Matthew Riedel and Reid Davenport all finished with an even-par 71 for the Commodores and are each tied for 11th overall. Michael Shears (74) is tied for 38th at 3-over-par and Harrison Ott (tied for 70th) is six-over-par after 18 holes.
Cole Sherwood, competing as an individual, finished with a 71 and is also tied for 11th.
“Reid played really well today and I think is starting to trend in the right direction and he likes this course a lot,” Limbaugh said. “William and Matthew didn’t get off to the starts they hoped for, but they stayed patient and stuck with their plan which takes toughness.
“I thought Michael looked good today and just had a few bad wedge shots that cost him a better round, but he battled it all the way in. I expect Harry to be there for us the next two days.”
North Florida was the lone squad under par after all teams completed competition Monday. Michael Mattiace had the Ospreys’ top score of 5-under-par and is atop the individual leaderboard.
Vanderbilt is scheduled to begin Tuesday’s second round at 8:20 a.m. Live scoring for the event can be found HERE.
“Today was a good start and I know we are still capable of being a little better all the way through as a team,” Limbaugh said. “What you focus on is what you get and we need to focus on the little things that we have full control over.”
