STATESBORO, Ga. – The Vanderbilt men’s golf team finished the first round of the Schenkel Invitational with a surge of birdies to finish the day with a team total of five-under par, 283, which is good for a tie for sixth place on the team leader board at the Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga. Junior Theo Humphrey is the team’s leader after the first day of play with a four-under par, 68 on the par-72, 6,947-yard layout.
The Commodores, one of the best finishing teams in college golf, showed their mettle once again in Statesboro Friday. Vanderbilt counted 14 birdies on Friday, but six of those came in the final four holes at Forest Heights. Humphrey birdied 17 and 18, sophomore Will Gordon birdied 16 and 17, freshman John Augenstein birdied 15, and sophomore Patrick Martin birdied the 16th hole.
Humphrey led the team with six birdies in his round on Friday and is in a tie for fourth in the individual standings with his 68. Martin finished with a two-under 70 (T-16), Augenstein a 71 (T-21), and Gordon a 74 (T-46).
“I’m so proud of how the guys hung in there today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “We got off to a slow start but we were able to weather it and finish strong. We always tell our guys to stay patient and to let the rounds come to them. Today really tested us early on, but the guys were able stay in the moment and get a few birdies coming in. Theo did a nice job for us all day. He was in control and able to birdie his last two holes which was huge for the team.”
The College of Charleston is atop the team leader board after carding a nine-under par, 279, one stroke better than host Georgia Southern. Individually, Lipscomb’s Dawson Armstrong leads the field after shooting a six-under 66 Friday.
“Our finish today will give us momentum heading into tomorrow’s round,” said Limbaugh. “Tomorrow is another opportunity for this team to shape its identity.”
The second round of the tournament continues on Saturday.
T6. Vanderbilt – 283
T4. Theo Humphrey – 68
T22. Patrick Martin – 70
T22. John Augenstein – 71
T45. Will Gordon – 74
T52. Michael Decker – 75
